The lyrical team of tenor saxist Ralph Moore, pianist Eric Reed, drummer Andreas Svendsen and bassist Matthias Petri may not be creative in naming the band, but they sure do a great job of making music. This ten song collection of originals and covers is a lyrical wonder, mixing rich bop lines with classy solos. The jazz standards include a gorgeous and gentle take of Horace Silver’s “Peace” while in trio form Reed arranges and assuages a clever medley on “Yesterday-Yesterdays” melding the Beatle theme with the shadowy jazz piece.
Moore’s own bopping “623 C Street” and modal “Blues Alliance” reflect a rich and warm tenor sound, while Petri’s bass leads like a Sherpa on his “Ella” and the deep dig of “Storm P.” Reed’s “Cedar Waltzin’” is a Latin Lover, with the team strutting with confidence on “”Refraction.” As thick and tasty as a T-bone steak.