The Matador and the Bull

J.D. Allen's trio doesn't break new ground, but this excellent band doesn’t come off as retro or conservative, either. Allen, who has a full, husky tone, is clearly inspired by John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins; at times there are hints of Ornette Coleman. Allen’s compositions are usually about four minutes long, and they feel like condensations of great '60s jazz. They're also melodic gems, and the threesome plays them with a sense of focus and energy. The group’s third release, The Matador and the Bull, is much like its previous two efforts: a very good collection of material expertly performed. But, as is the case with the other albums, there's a hard-to-pin-down X factor at play, too. Individual tracks don’t really stand out, although each works on its own; in a way, The Matador and the Bull feels like a suite or a set of interconnected pieces. Rudy Royston’s drumming is electrifying, and bassist Gregg August’s sonorous playing could moor an ocean liner. This is a special group not to be taken for granted.