Dave Binney
Graylen Epicenter
Mythology Records
www.davidbinney.com
By George W. Harris

Saxist/composer David Binney is one of the leaders of the newest generation of jazz artists. He’s got chops as well as an ability to write some pretty sophisticated charts, as he shows on this recent release. Teamed with luminaries like Chris Potter/ts, Wayne Krantz/g and Brian Blade/dr as well as Eivind Opsvik/b, Craig Taborn/p and Ambrose Akinmusire/tp, he shows the strengths and weaknesses modern jazz. The complexity of tunes like “All Of Time” and the title track display a sophistication that is overwhelming to the point of sterility. Perfectly executed solos on difficult passages do not inspire, but only fatigue. Gretchen Parlato’s gentle voice adds a sense of calm and civilization, as most women do to men, on her contributions to “From This Far” and “Home,” but the rest of the material is reminiscent of Lester Young’s famous line, “Played a lot of notes, but didn’t say anything.”