PETER ERSKINE - Sweet Soul (1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Six of the 11 selections on this CD (most of which were written by drummer Peter Erskine, Vince Mendoza, or Kenny Werner) feature Joe Lovano on tenor (and in one instance soprano) in a quartet with pianist Werner, bassist Marc Johnson, and Erskine; Lovano (who would soon hit it big) already sounds quite mature and creative. Three of the other numbers have slightly larger groups (with guitarist John Scofield, tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer, and trumpeter Randy Brecker appearing on some of the cuts), Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" is taken by the Werner-Johnson-Erskine trio, and the brief "But Is It Art?" is a drum solo. Throughout the date, the solos uplift the material and make this CD a worthy purchase for listeners who enjoy challenging but sometimes accessible post-bop music. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Touch Her Soft Lips And Part 6'58
Written-By – W. Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
2    Press Enter 8'24
Written-By – Kenny Werner
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
3    Sweet Soul 9'41
Written-By – Peter Erskine
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Guitar – John Scofield
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
4    To Be Or Not To Be 9'18
Written-By – Peter Erskine
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Guitar – John Scofield
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
5    Ambivalence 4'58
Written-By – Vince Mendoza
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
6    Angels And Devils 6'05
Written-By – Vince Mendoza
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
7    Speak Low 5'48
Written-By – Kurt Weill
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
8    Scolastic 7'40
Written-By – Vince Mendoza
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Guitar – John Scofield
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
9    Distant Blossom 6'20
Written-By – Kenny Werner
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Piano – Kenny Werner
Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Peter Erskine
10    But Is It Art? 2'00
Written-By – Peter Erskine
Drums – Peter Erskine
11    In Your Own Sweet Way 7'03
Written-By – Dave Brubeck
Bass – Marc Johnson
Piano - Kenny Werner
Drums – Peter Erskine