Album Review
Clarinetist Frank Glover is one whose modernity is clear and present, but there are elements of classical and Latin musics lined in the threads of it. One of the more literate, thoughtful, and accessible players of the noble wooden instrument, Glover and his able accompanists run through some original material that speaks to the heart and head simultaneously. This is clever jazz, but not overly intellectualized, spare while avoiding clichés, and joyous instead of giddy. Most of it is quartet music featuring the fine pianist Steve Allee, but in some instances a larger orchestral element is added including strings. There's nothing syrupy or dramatically romantic about the music, but instead the larger instrumentation broadens the sounds, avoiding anything that overwhelms the principal soloists. And make no mistake, it is Glover's instrument that is in prime focus from start to finish, featured almost exclusively as a melody maker and soloist. A distinct tango element is easily heard during "One Way Ticket," but rock & roll or a chunk of funk buoys Glover's tart sweet clarinet. "The Last Blue Tang" sports a title that speaks for itself in its serene, somber, and string-driven tones. The three-part "Concierto Para Quarteto," at over 16 minutes, demands attention, going from dark tones in 4/4 to tango and a midtempo pace accented by Glover's fluttery trills. The full orchestration during "Plastic Plants" does not deter from the quality of the individualists as it expands a slight samba beat with brass, flutes, and bass clarinet in a favorable comparison to what Gil Evans might conceive, while "A Thousand Ships" utilizes a naturally oceanic seascape. The closest track to straight-ahead jazz, the title track uses a two-note chord progression from Allee, tricky mixed meters and dramatically bold bop. Glover meticulously composed all of this music, clearly a labor of love, and a showcase for his personal style of playing an instrument that has offered far too few champions for many decades. Perhaps with this fine effort, a new standard bearer has been crowned. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi
