Omer Avital Group - Room To Grow (2006)

Bassist Omer Avital put together a very unusually lineup for these live sessions recorded at Smalls in New York City, combining three different tenor saxophonists (Grant Stewart, Charles Owens and Gregory Tardy), alto saxophonist Myron Walden and drummer Joe Strasser into an explosive small group full of possibilities. One can hear the influence of Indian music in an extended reprise visit to his original "Kentucky Girl" (which was first recorded for his initial Smalls Asking No Permission), showcasing the potent solos by the leader, Walden and Tardy. Avital introduces Cole Porter's "It's Alright with Me" with a tense, abstract solo that ignites explosive outings by each of the reed players, with Tardy switching to clarinet. The final piece is a powerful take of John Coltrane's rarely performed "26-2" that fits more firmly into a post-bop setting. This must have been an exciting set to see in person, it is a shame that there isn't a companion DVD.