Scratching the Surface – Rob Brown

Two saxes, bass, and drums playing wildly free jazz might seem like a tough act, but not with the talent assembled here. Alto saxophonist Rob Brown has made a name for himself as a supremely gifted stylist, and if you listen close enough, you can hear the ghost of early Ornette. Add tenor saxophonist Assif Tsahar, who has absorbed the post-Coltrane dialect, and you have a genuine battle of the saxes. Co-leader and percussionist Lou Grassi continues to impress with his forays into the lower depths, aided by the solid chops of bassist Chris Lightcap. High points include the wonderful tunes and arrangements by Brown, as well as his highly inventive soloing. If the horns sometimes seem to fly in different directions, the lengthy improvisations should be a sax lover's delight. ~ Steve Loewy, All Music Guide