Search - Curtis Fowlkes and Catfish Corner :: Reflect

As a member of the Jazz Passengers , cofounder and trombonist Curtis Fowlkes learned a thing or two from that criminally ignored and undervalued unit. For his debut as a leader, Fowlkes composed exuberantly mellow songs in a variety of styles, assembled a crack sextet to play them, then combined it all in an uncannily coherent blowing session. Recalling such classic '60s albums as Speak No Evil, Nefertiti, and The Sidewinder, Reflect is a swinging study in high-octane soloing (by a mostly unknown cast) over meaty melodic nuggets. The album is etched from postbop logic, with a cover of Grachan Moncur III's "The Coaster" and the standard "When I Fall in Love." Fowlkes, trumpeter Russ Johnson, alto saxophonist Sam Furnace, and keyboardist Ted Kruz wail concise commentary through these lighthearted romps as drummer J.T. Lewis upends swing cliche, skipping conversational, funky cross-rhythms that make the music twist, lope, and spin. Fowlkes, a veteran of the Knitting Factory scene, skates a deliciously thin musical line. No longer part of any camp, Fowlkes makes music that is never self consciously out nor reverentially inside. Reflect is simply, sublimely soulful and holds up under repeated plays, the mark of any great album. --Ken Micallef