RAZOR EDGE
Drummer Rayford Griffin’s tribute to his legendary and highly influential uncle, trumpeter Clifford Brown, is an exhilarating cross-weave of “then” and “now.” Working a set list of originals and standards associated with “Brownie,” Griffin and his cohorts provide enough crossover appeal to make multiple playlists while generously dosing this program with classic jazz feel and attack. The latter provided primarily by the especially exuberant trumpet posse present: Roy Hargrove, Michael “Patches” Stewart, Rick Braun and Nicholas Payton, and tenor saxophonist Everette Harp.
Contemporary touches come courtesy of Griffin and his section partners—the late George Duke and bassist Brian Bromberg. Rhythms are updated for present-day ears and the sadly departed Mr. Duke provides synth strings and occasional quirkiness. The leader commands plenty of spotlight himself, providing aggressive punctuation throughout the set.
~ Duane Verh