Turtle Crossing

Personnel: Joe McPhee (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, pocket trumpet); Steve Swell (trombone); John Voigt (double bass); Laurence Cook (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Peter Kontrimas.
Liner Note Author: Steve Loewy.
Recording information: PBS Studios, Westwood, MA (11/19/2000).
Illustrator: Rui Garrido.
This colorful blowout features saxophonists Paul Flaherty and Joe McPhee (the latter switches to pocket trumpet on two numbers), trombonist Steve Swell, bassist John Voigt, and drummer Laurence Cook emphasizing group improvisations. There are plenty of individual heroics and mood variation for variety with the most exciting moments are when the full quintet jams together at its most passionate. The five musicians had never played together before as a group and did not even rehearse before the recording began. Particularly strong are Joe McPhee's soprano solos and the wild playing of trombonist Steve Swell even if the final number, "All Is Always Now," ends a bit inconclusively. All five players were clearly inspired by the setting and the opportunity to play with each other, and Paul Flaherty deserves credit for gathering these musicians together. ~ Scott Yanow