Steve Grossman Quintet Featuring Harold Land - I' m Confessin' (2007)

I'm Confessin' finds adventurous Chi-town tenor man Steve Grossman pairing up with journeyman jazz legend Harold Land on a muscular set of standards and originals. This a no nonsense but eminently cerebral outing that makes the most of the two leads' knack for inventive, angular, and energetic improvisation. To these ends they dive headlong into the midtempo blues swinger "Vierd Blues," race each other to the finish line on the burning Grossman original "Sandrow," and play it cool on Thelonious Monk's "Let's Cool One"." Individually, they both get a chance to shine with Grossman nailing down the title track and Land holding down the afterglow hours on the ballad "Born to Be Blue"." Joining in the fun are pianist Fred Henke, bassist Reggie Johnson, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. © Matt Collar