Caribbean Fire Dance

With a front line of Peter Hertmans (guitar) and Jeroen Van Herzeele (tenor sax), and a light, solid rhythm section of Sal La Rocca (acoustic bass) and Jan De Haas (drums), Belgium's Ode for Joe was formed to pay creative homage to the modal post-bop of tenor saxophone great Joe Henderson. On this, their second album, Ode for Joe manages to pay tribute to Henderson while still working the music forward into new places, and this is a wonderfully cohesive set. The opening track, "Y Yo la Quiero," is a particular delight, with both Hertmans and Van Herzeele establishing the tone and range of what is to come, and the whole sequence is easy, flowing, and elegantly played.