Todd Herbert - The Tree of Life (2008)

Todd Herbert's second CD for Metropolitan is similar in style to his first, with the flavor of John Coltrane prominent in his approach to the tenor sax. This time he is joined by pianist Anthony Wonsey (a fine leader and seasoned sideman), bassist Dwayne Burno (who is among Manhattan's first-call bassists), and drummer Jason Brown. "Look into the Abyss" is a solid post-bop opener that sounds like a throwback to the early 1960s, capturing the spirit of Coltrane's classic quartet without copying them outright. The exotic "Maharishi" has a Latin, rather than Eastern, flavor, while the powerful "Do This" would have easily fit into the repertoire of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. The sauntering "I'm Down" demonstrates the leader's affinity for the blues, with terrific support from the rhythm section. "Herbs of Fire" wraps the session with sizzling finish, featuring strong features for Burno and Wonsey. Recommended.