Album Review: Commitment from Jae Sinnett’s Zero To 60 Quartet

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Album:  Commitment
Artist:  Jae Sinnett’s Zero To 60 Quartet
Label: J-Nett Music
Website:  jaesinnett.com

Commitment is drummer Jae Sinnett's 19th recording as a leader and his 15th recording with his Zero to 60 Quartet.  Performing are Sinnett on drums, Allen Farnham on piano, Steve Wilson on alto and soprano saxophones, and Terry Burrell on acoustic and electric bass forming the quartet.  The recording features Randy Brecker on trumpet and flugelhorn, who makes an indelible mark on several tracks.  Comprised of an assortment of straight-ahead jazz textures, swinging melodies, and improvised dynamics, the recording has three originals by Sinnett, two originals by his bandmate Allen Farnham, and attractive interpretations of five jazz standards.

Brecker's trumpet melds harmoniously into the melodic formations of the quartet along "Simone," producing an amorous sonorous that engulfs the listener in winsome aesthetics.  The combination has a heavenly effect on the listener's ears.  "Skylark," penned by Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael, continues along the path to heavenly escapes with the lounging toots of Brecker's trumpet suspended by the calming sails of Sinnett's drums and Burrell's acoustic bass, while Farnham's keys softly glisten in the backdrop.

Brandishing Sinnett's penchant for improvised drumming, his intro to Farnham's original piece "Be That As It May" reels the listener in and leads into a straight-ahead jazz fervor filament by Farnham's frilly keys, Wilson's undulating saxophone tweets, and the nibble pumps of Burrell's acoustic bass.  Sinnett's original track "Muhammara's Dance" moves into a fusion of jazz, dance and improvisation, radiating an exotic tone in the rhythmic beats as Burrell's saxophone wiggles with a charisma that lures the audience while Farnham's improvisations on the keys zigzag impulsively.

The quartet plus Brecker play with a synchronicity that astounds the listener.  Their improvisations are well-placed and add dimension to the tracks.  The recording not only has mass appeal because of its beautiful melodies but it displays the musicians talent to understand their discipline and their affinity for jazz-inspired principles.

Musicians:
Jae Sinnett: drums
Randy Brecker - trumpet and flugelhorn
Allen Farnham - piano
Steve Wilson - alto and soprano saxophones
Terry Burrell - acoustic and electric bass

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