The Splatter Trio

You have to be at least intrigued when a group decides to use as a cover a blatant rip-off of/homage to a well-known jazz album. But the bright yellow and blue used by Ornette Coleman on his 1961 Atlantic release, Ornette!, is transformed into Splatter, evoking a wry chuckle and providing an indication of the irreverent approach of this San Francisco-based trio. With their 23 tunes and allusions to numerous musical genres, the band has a bit in common with John Zorn's Naked City, displaying a similar punkish attitude, though generally keeping a jazzier outlook. The tracks, though possessing a free jazz edge, are fairly straightforward, often blues-based, and thematic. Pieces like "'Musing (For Mingus)" or "Sunda" are entirely approachable, with Dave Barrett's poignant saxophone work offering ease of entry. The injection of the occasional funky bassline is less convincing. All three musicians are in fine form here, capable of handling most anything tossed their way, and offer creative contributions, but the compositions and improvisations themselves tend to blend together after a while with not enough "personality" to stand out from each other. One might have hoped for some longer pieces to allow the bandmembers to dig in a bit more. When the trio gets clicking, as on "Outdiana," the listener gets a taste of the potential embedded herein. As is, an enjoyable enough disc that whets the appetite for further exploration.