Rich Halley Trio - Objects (2002)

Objects is the second release by the Oregon-based Rich Halley and his working trio with bassist Clyde Reed and drummer Dave Storrs. Whether he's playing tenor or soprano sax, Halley is fierce, his style a heady mix of mainstream and "out" concepts (he's got much in common with New York's Tony Malaby). Of the six tracks here, five are loosely structured but finely developed free pieces, and they find the trio stretching vigorously. Storrs throws odd vocalizations into the mix on the funky "Back in the 400 Club" and the epic finale, "Thickets/Pavement," which Halley begins on wood flute. But just when you think you've got Halley pegged as a maverick free player, along comes "Over the Rainbow," rendered in the classic tenor ballad tradition, summoning Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, Liebman, and beyond.