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Innner Light

Mike DiRubbo

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2023
Views: 1,093

Tracks

JK in NYC; Scrollin’ and Trollin’; The Muse; Bethune Street; Love the Same; Inner Light; Brand New; Straight Street; The Moment Before Sunrise; Campania; Dearly Beloved.

Personnel

Mike DiRubbo
saxophone, alto
Brian Charette
organ, Hammond B3

Album Description

Alto saxophonist {{Mike DiRubbo}} and his quartet come out smokin’ on Inner Light, DiRubbo’s tenth album as leader, showing everyone that they mean business on the flag- waving “JK in NYC,” one of DiRubbo’s nine likeable compositions. Although it isn’t noted in the album’s liners, “JK” could refer to the group’s ultra-busy drummer, {{Jongkuk Kim}}, who shares the back line with guitarist {{Andrew Renfroe}} and organist {{Brian Charette}}.

Everyone works well together—an observation that is true of most groups these days—so any appraisal must rest largely on DiRubbo’s melodic and rhythmic expertise and the way in which the quartet responds. As a rule, they earn high marks in both areas, as DiRubbo writes quite well and the quartet is definitely on the same page. When solo time arrives, Charette traverses the keyboard with perception and assurance, while Renfroe weaves an articulate yet edgy pattern. Kim, meanwhile, is limber and assertive at the drumset.

As for DiRubbo, while he has his own special voice, it’s clear that he has listened closely to such pacesetters as {{Phil Woods}}, {{Cannonball Adderley}} and {{Frank Morgan}}, and their champions should know pretty much what to expect. As noted, DiRubbo wrote nine of the album’s charming numbers. The outliers are {{John Coltrane}}’s fast-paced “Straight Street” and Jerome Kern’s alluring “Dearly Beloved”--taken at a brisker than usual clip--which rings down the curtain. “Straight Street” coaxes impressive solos from DiRubbo, Renfroe and Charette, and further emphatic timekeeping from Kim.

DiRubbo hits the mark again with the playful “Scrollin’ and Trollin’,” melodious “Bethune Street,” warmhearted “Love the Same” (introduced by Renfroe), zestful “Inner Light,” easygoing “Brand New” and shuffling “Moment Before Sunrise.” “Dearly Beloved” adds a persuasive coda to an excellent session in which everyone is clearly on his game.


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Album uploaded by Faiz Lamouri

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