Moments

Saxophonist Michael Campagna leads an interesting band on this CD. Michael Rodriguez plays trumpet and flügelhorn, Robert Rodriguez plays piano, Hans Glawischnig is on bass, and Eric Doob is the drummer, and/but on four tracks ("Dear John," "Celestial Romance [For Anna]," "Midnight Whistle," and "You Are All"), they're joined by harpist Brandee Younger. Those tracks are more adventurous, naturally, than the other five, which are fairly conventional, if well-played, hard bop themes. An excellent front line, Rodriguez and Campagna are fluid and attentive to one another, and the rhythm section balances a melodic lilt with the ability to delve deep into a swinging groove. "Celestial Romance (For Anna)" allows Campagna to showcase his flute skills on a swaying ballad, while "Midnight Whistle" adds harp to a midtempo, somewhat rubato piece that surges and recedes in an almost tidal fashion. And while Campagna's soloing occasionally edges into hard-bitten near-skronk, he never tips all the way over into free jazz fervor. This isn't background music by any means, but it is a version of modern hard bop that's intended to soothe more than provoke.