Album Review: Cohesion from David Larsen

Album:  Cohesion
Artist:  David Larsen
Label: Larsen Jazz
Website: larsenjazz.com

In the spirit of jazz artists who endeavor to fill the room with music, saxophonist, composer and bandleader David Larsen accomplishes this task on his latest release Cohesion.  Joining Larsen are Darryl Yokley on tenor saxophone, Zaccai Curtis on piano, Alex Apollo on bass, and Wayne Smith, Jr. on drums.  The outfit's synchronicity is pristine and their rapport is elevating for the listener.  From smooth jazz to hard bop, the quintet creates a lively experience for their audience.

Curtis's keys burst with a sonic pop across "Movement," as the lofty flares of Yokley's and Larsen's saxophones color in the landscape with large, buoyant strokes.   The musicians engage in a comfortable conversation along "Wishing Well," fusing spiraling saxophones with the animated musings of Curtis's keys and a supportive rhythm section that engulfs the listener in a lively story.  

The flashy peal of the saxophones shape the dynamic movements along  "Mount Fuji" and "El Duelo," stirring a whirlwind course.  Coming off the ride of mirth and cheerfulness is the silky sensations enveloping "Working Things Out," as the quintet turns introspective and beautifully emotive with the saxophones gracefully forming lulls and lifts simultaneously.

Moving in the same direction though coursing individual paths, Larsen and his bandmates create a synchronized unit comparable to the Jazz Messengers.   As a west coast native, Larsen shows that his smooth jazz sensibilities meld comfortably with the hard bop dynamics of his east coast compadres to produce a harmonious cohesion.

Musicians:
David Larsen - Baritone Saxophone
Darryl Yokley - Tenor Saxophone
Zaccai Curtis - Piano
Alex Apollo - Bass
Wayne Smith, Jr. - Drums