East Coast Standards Time by East Coast Standards Time

The track begins freely, with guitarist Rich Walker creating the freely interpreted introduction. He quickly takes the melody, and Mark McKee on piano, Richard Drexler, bass and Walt Hubbard on drums provide a supportive two-beat cushion, that opens up to a straight ahead 4/4 groove with the piano solo. McKee demonstrates more of the influence of McCoy Tyner than Evans on his solo.

The group adds tenor saxophonist Ira Sullivan for "Alfredo," and ratchets the energy up several notches for this minor blues. Sullivan is up first. He turns in a strong, swinging solo. Richard Drexler who was on bass on the previous track, moves over to piano here. His piano playing is strong-and his solo is decidedly carved out of the McCoy Tyner approach. Walker follows on guitar, using single lines interspersed with Wes Montgomery-like octaves. He's powerful.

"Nature Boy," is rendered with a laid back Latin groove. Carlos Fernandez on congas and percussion lays down the foundation for this standard. Ira Sullivan switches to alto flute. It's a song whose tonal center and chords are primarily minor. It's a sad song, and very well performed.

East Coast Standards Time and company change gears on Gershwin's "I've Got A Crush On You." Walker is up first on this down-tempo swinger, followed by Sullivan who contributes a melodic one-chorus solo on tenor sax.

There's a lot of 6/8 Afro-Cuban in the group's interpretation of Jerome Kern's standard "All The Things You Are." Sullivan locks in with the rhythm section, deftly navigating his way through the harmonically-rich chord changes of this tune, and creating a superb solo. Richard Drexler follows with another powerful impromptu excursion of his own.

This album features a host of Florida's finest musicians including guitarist Rich Walker whose recent recording credits include dates with Dr. Lonnie Smith, Marion McPartland and Nick Brignola. Saxophonist Ira Sullivan, originally from Chicago, spent time with Art Blakey's band in the 1950s, and worked quite a bit with trumpeter Red Rodney for years.

East Coast Standards Time offers a well-rounded selection of styles and compositions. Guitarist Walker, reedman Sullivan, and pianists Drexler, and McKee turn in consistently excellent improvisations. The group is geographically located in Florida, but the music definitely has the sparkle of sounds around New York.

ALTRU MUSIC

2809 Donielle Dr. Strawberry Plains, TN 37871

altrumusic@yahoo.com www.altrumusic.com

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