A solid, accessible date co-led by saxophonist Peter Brainin and drummer Steve Johns. Pianist George Cables and bassist Jay Anderson join Johns in the rhythm section, but it's the three-horn front line (Brainin, Conrad Herwig on trombone, and Eddie Henderson or Chris Rogers on trumpet/fluegelhorn) who gives the session its luster. (Rich Shemaria and Chuck Clark provide the beautiful arrangements.) Brainin wrote four of the tunes, Johns three; Goldie Tyler Johns, the drummer's mother, contributed a delightfully saucy change of pace called "Cause You're My Lover." Many of the tracks recall the cool, lyrical, Latin-tinged sophistication of Tom Harrell. The program's almost too mild; you find yourself waiting for a return to the pumping swing and tight, spitting horn harmonies of the opener, Johns' "Home Grown Alone." That said, there are some tasty surprises -- like the sudden transition from upbeat swing to minor-key waltz in Brainin's "Efflorescence" or the flute/bass unison statement that begins Johns' "Hazelhurst."
No Saints No Sinners
Steve Johns
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No Saints No Sinners Review
by David R. Adler
Track Listing
Title/Composer | Performer | Time | Stream | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 06:46 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
2 | Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 06:54 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
3 | Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 08:03 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
4 | Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 05:37 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
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Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 06:48 | SpotifyAmazon | ||
6 | Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 09:33 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
7 | Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 05:32 | SpotifyAmazon | |||
8 | Steve Johns feat: Peter Brainin | 05:45 | SpotifyAmazon |