Mike DiRubbo
Repercussion
Positone Records
www.posi-tone.com

After the first listen, I had to go back to the info sheet on this guy. I couldn’t believe that DiRubbo was playing an alto-his sound was so rich, dark and thick that I would have sworn it was a Dexter Gordon influenced tenor. Now, he REALLY got my attention, as altoists tend to get too shrill for my tastes.

In fact, the first impression I get from this disc, with Steve Nelson/v, Dwayne Burno/b and Tony Reedus/dr was Atlantic-period John Coltrane, particularly his Milt Jackson disc. The music is classic hard bop, and snaps with an energy that is quite refreshing. Originals like the title track and Lunar have a quicksilver drive to them, while Brubeck’s “The Duke” is taken on with a fresh vigor. The three part rhythm section keeps the music on a high butane level, with the music simmering at a scintillating temperature. Lots to like on this disc. Definitely a keeper