Rivera, Albert
Turnaround, 2010, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 16.3
Jazz Ruler Type: R&B+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 
O’s Notes: Saxophonist Albert Rivera puts together several band configurations to record his music; nine contemporary and modern jazz tunes. They open with “It Always Comes Back to This”, a funky B3-infused cooker including Guitarist Mark Whitfield, Beck Burger (B3) and Jean Caze (t) and John Iannuzzi (d). The same lineup brings back the funk later in the set on “From All Angels”. Albert’s core rhythm section keeps things tight on the rest of the tunes. They are Zaccai Curtis (p), Luques Curtis (b) and Nathan Jolley (d) . “Inner Peace”, “The First Time We Said Hello” and “While you Were Gone” feature the soothing tones of Rivera’s sax with Caze on trumpet. We also liked the cool vibe of “Excalibur” and the reflective mood of “Remembrance” featuring Nick Roseboro on trumpet. Rivera does a good job displaying several modes during this session, appealing to both contemporary and straight ahead jazz lovers. He has the potential to break away from the pack of jazz saxophonists. We look forward to his next release. In the mean time, we’ll keep this one in our changer for a while!
Publicist: Turnaround Records
