Eric Alexander - Summit Meeting (2002)

This strong set documents the continuing and developing ties between Alexander and Harold Mabern; as the saxophonist unleashes his full-bodied, Coltrane-like tone on a set of originals and unlikely standards, Mabern's restless support unifies and galvanizes the rhythm section. At times, the pianist is a little too busy; there are passages in, for example, "There but for the Grace of..." where he might have laid out for a while, especially to give air to the segue between solos by Alexander and guest trumpeter Nicholas Payton. And repetitious left-hand comps during his solos nearly derail the band's sprightly 3/4 rendition of "A House Is Not a Home" and the choruses in the blazing "Something's Got to Give." Still, almost every detail throughout the rest of the album fits into a pattern of potent swing, even at the difficult medium-slow tempo taken on "This Girl's in Love With You" (the only track on the album that showcases the saxophonist exclusively as a soloist). Consistently assured improvisations from both Alexander and Payton provide the final touch necessary for the success of this session. -- Robert L. Doerschuk