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ejazznews reviews Mike DiRubbo “Chronos”…

 ejazznews.com
CD Reviews: Mike DiRubbo – “Chronos” – CD-2011 Posi-Tone Records

Posted by: editoron Sunday, March 27, 2011 – 04:02 PM
ReviewsGlenn AstaritaWest Coast USA based Posi-Tone Records continues to amass an impressive catalog built on promising young talent and well-known artists. Here, saxophonist Mike DiRubbo conveys a modern era spin on the traditional jazz-organ trio methodology while projecting a democratic group-centric mindset into the program.

DiRubbo and organist Brian Charette’s compositions generate staying power. Otherwise, DiRubbo is a smooth operator and dishes out more than enough pop and sizzle while sporting a fluent and radiant line of attack. Moreover, the trio lashes out with a consortium of precision-oriented unison choruses and off-kilter tonal contrasts within various modalities.
On the title piece “Chronos,” the frontline enjoys smooth sailing with a medium-tempo swing vamp amid a scrappy bridge, propelled by Rudy Royston’s sweeping drums. Surprisingly enough, the soloists morph the proceedings into minimalist territory with a repetitive and simple theme during the bridge. Then DiRubbo soars into the upper register to complement the intermittent detours, nooks and crannies.
The band intertwines aggressive frameworks with fluid bop motifs and lighthearted balladry. Charette’s “More Physical,” is the album closer and boasts an endearing harmonic vista via DiRubbo’s melodious soprano sax work and a memorable hook that is taken to a high-impact coda. On this piece, the band becomes ‘more physical,’ moving forward, spiced by the leader’s darting notes and Charette’s clustering organ voicings.
Overall, it’s a grand showing by a band that seamlessly merges superior technical acumen with vision, strong compositions and enough diversions to sustain interest on a continual basis. A persuasive outing indeed… – Glenn Astarita
Mike DiRubbo (alto, soprano saxophone), Brian Charette (organ), Rudy Royston (drums)
http://www.mikedirubbo.com
https://www.posi-tone.com