T.M

The Clayton Brothers' Expressions

Jeff Clayton, John Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Herlin Riley, Qwest

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THE CLAYTON BROTHERS are two hometown LA fellows who've done quite well for themselves in the extremely unstable music business. They've managed to succeed by playing jazz music of consistently fine quality.

At the tail end of the '60s, John Clayton was a student of Ray Brown, and his career was soon boosted right into the big time as BrownÕs protégé. His goal at that time was to go to NYC and to blow with Mingus Much has changed; he plays alto tenor, alto flute and English horn on this CD.

The disc started with a very funky blues piece. Pianist Cunliffe and drummer Riley lay down a basic background while Jeff does soulful testifying on tenor, blowing more forcefully near the end of the tune. He's on alto for a very Jazzy Bluesy Bossa Nova, an emotionally moving tune with four different feelings to it. The well-played bass lines are tastefully subtle on the subdued parts and fittingly stronger on the more driving portions. There's a lot of feeling in the quartet's performance of this piece.

The Brothers' arrangement of Horace Silver's Song for My Father is ambitious and successful. Jeff's highly emotional alto soars over the rhythm section's swift timekeeping. Cunliffe is a versatile improviser and John always a master musical craftsman, plays a skillfully bowed bass solo. Riley's drum breaks are suitably frisky at that fast tempo. The cut is a surprisingly refreshing take on a perennial jam session favorite.

Jeff pays homage to Cannonball Adderley on Saturday Night Special, sounding so much like Cannon that the effect is rather haunting. It's a Janus-faced composition with a cool "A" section and an energetic bridge. The Brothers give Summertime a full on late period Coltrane treatment which rings harmonious tones in our bones.

It's good to hear the Clayton Brothers step out of the main stream, Into a stronger musical current.