Bruce Barth - Somehow It's True (2000)

Bruce Barth's third Double-Time release features Terell Stafford on trumpet and flugel, Adam Kolker on tenor and soprano sax (and alto clarinet), Ugonna Okegwo on bass, Duduka DaFonseca on percussion, and Billy Hart on drums. In a rather ingenious move, Barth intersperses three 30-second solo piano takes of Monk's "Criss Cross" throughout the program, finally giving us a nearly full-length take as the finale. Furthering the Monk theme, he also offers a trio rendition of "We See" and a full-band version of "Light Blue." Two standard bossas also appear: a mellow trio reading of "Estate" and a lively take on Jobim's "Triste" in seven. There are only three Barth originals, but they range widely, from the 6/8 modal fury of "Tom Tom Thing" to the melodic solo piano feature "Somehow It's True" to the quasi-free-form "Solitude," the last of which is reprised toward the end of the program. The consistently stellar playing and the uncommon conceptual moves make this one of Barth's most refreshing efforts to date. ~David R. Adler