ALL ABOUT JAZZ REVIEW: Hope

By C. Michael Bailey

Another drummer hanging out in the great Northwest is Matt Jorgensen. He and his band, 451, have previously released several recordings. Jorgensen borrows Mark Taylor from Steve Korn and features Korn’s other saxophonist, Rob Davis on several cuts. Jorgensen employs a double saxophone front for the opening of this disc, “Slinky,” giving the band a big muscular sound that is propelled by Ryan Burn’s Fender Rhodes. The band hits a bull’s eye with their cover of Coldplay’s “God Put A Smile on Your Face,” again featuring Burn’s Miles Davis-distorted electric piano and some very nifty saxophone playing by Mr. Taylor. Jorgensen’s drumming on the piece is insistent and incendiary. The music on this recording, while some being abstract, is very appealing and accessible. “Che” has a distinct “A Love Supreme” vibe with coherent saxophone soloing over the ebb of the rhythm section. All pieces are provocative and intelligent.