Eastern Boundary Quartet
Icicles
Konnex Records
www.konnex-records.de

Griffith/Stevens Quartet
Only Love
Artists Recording Collective
www.michaeljefrystevens.com
By George W. Harris

Here are two releases that are united by the fact that eclectic pianist Michael Jefry Stevens’ piano lays the foundation (and compositional skills) on them. While both are completely different in feel, they also both have rewarding moments for every taste.

The EBQ consists of Stevens with Mihaly Borbely/reeds, Joe Fonda/b and Balazs Bagyi/dr performing at t concert in Budapest, Hungary in 2009. The 7 tunes are all originals, and all have an attractive Mingusy feel to them. The loping “Fish Soup” features some elastic bass work, while “Borders” and “Soft Balkan Wind” have Borbely winding and twisting over some Mediterranean grooves laid down by Bagyi. A multi textured “China” features some moody and reflective reed work, while the title track has some elegant piano work by Stevens. A very strong and intriguing set. We want more!

On a different spectrum, Steven joins up with vocalist Miles Griffith, Dominique Girod/b and Dieter Ulrich/dr for an experimental set of originals. Some, like “Highway Blues” are right in the pocket, while others such as “Sometimes” have a Coltrane modal flair to them. Griffith’s flexible voice splatters like a dropped paint can on “Oh Mama” and “Lonely Tears,” taking vocal improve to a completely different sphere. Fun and frenetic, this guy has an energy that keeps you hanging in with the wild sounds.