It’s not difficult to trace Tommy Smith’s current roots in the Coltrane camp, though legend has it that he had already travelled through and conquered Dixieland, swing and bop territory in his early teens. Now in his late teens, he exhibits many second generation post-Trane influences, notably that of Michael Brecker, whose style, one suspects, pervades Berklee, where Scottish Smith is studying.
Bassist Geweit led this date, but the audience’s plaudits go to Smith, mainly for his apoplectic efforts on Forward Motion and Gardonyi for his probing examination of Is Really This It, and one cannot really argue with that. These are two excellent solos. Gewelt takes a solo at the outset of For Someone, but it’s his ensemble work and sound that are most impressive. Froman doesn’t solo, but is a fine complement to the whole.
As the sleeve note explains, little of the music is pre-arranged and relies instead on careful empathy for its strength and development. It evolves much as a conversation, with whispers, wry asides, non sequiturs, raised voices and downright rage. It’s always cleanly rhythmic, and when it’s up, it swings uncomplicatedly.
It must be said that all silly prejudices against schooled musicians must be abandoned before this can be enjoyed, but this shouldn’t be too difficult: these boys might be schooled, but they’re no teacher’s pets.
Discography
Is Really This It; Sunwind (23.45) – For Someone I Love; Forward Motion (16.53)
Tommy Smith (ts); Laszlo Gardonyi (p); Terje Geweit (b); Ian Froman (d). Recorded Berklee, Boston, November 1984.
(HEP 2026)
