Label: Edition Records, 2024
Personnel - Chris Potter: tenor and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Brad Mehldau: piano; John Patitucci: bass; Brian Blade: drums.
Possessing advanced musical skills and a kaleidoscopic vision, saxophonist and composer Chris Potter has recently cycled through different small-group formats. For his new outing, Eagle’s Point, he gathered a super quartet whose members, all outstanding bandleaders and valuable sidemen with whom he first collaborated in the ‘90s, take his music to places with joy and an incredible rapport. Lending him key support here is pianist Brad Mehldau, whose melody-centric approach is not devoid of rhythmic nuance, well-versed bassist John Patitucci, and charismatic drummer Brian Blade. Together, they weave tapestries of color, poise, and energy.
Launching the album into motion, “Dream of Home” expresses nimble saxophone lines, excitable bass temperament, and taut, anxiety-laden drumwork. Potter’s authoritative solo sparks with unbounded energy, and his post-bop maturity is also reflected on the impeccably articulated title track, “Eagle’s Point”, a showcase for a serene bass groove in six, a motivic phrase that slides effortlessly across octaves, and a gutsy tenor solo undaunted by outside playing. Mehldau imposes a polychromatic feel in his striking statement, and Blade enjoys intermittent bars of freedom before the theme reinstatement.
Throughout the album, the quartet's unique perspectives cross with disentanglement and ingeniousness. Pieces like “Indigo Ildikó” and “Other Plans”, both mindfully adjusting tension and resolution, offer introspective observations. The former stands as an emotive ballad with vaulting arcs of yearning melody delivered on bass clarinet, while the latter shapes as an elegant Bill Evans-esque waltz.
“Cloud Message” features excellent bass playing and loose contemporary swinging spin, with Mehldau responding assertively to Potter’s accentuations.“Malaga Moon” unfolds with an irresistible 7/4 groove, provoking, surprising and then finally convincing before taking us to the celebratory closer, “Horizon Dance”, whose buoyant groove and liberating style hits the mark.
Potter and his quartet harmonize with a sense of urgency and refined melodic tract, and Eagle’s Point finds them as vital as ever.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Dream of Home ► 04 - Eagle’s Point ► 08 - Horizon Dance