Scorcher

Tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway has a large tone slightly similar to Stanley Turrentine's and an adventurous style. He was a member of one of Dizzy Gillespie's last combos and, in the 1990s, led a series of dates for the Milestone label. This set is mostly straight-ahead jazz, often with funky rhythms, including the bebop standard "Hot House." Among the better selections are a remake of Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder," Sonny Rollins' "The Everywhere Calypso," and a duet with guitarist Paul Bollenback on "You and I." Organist Joey DeFrancesco stars among the supporting cast. There is also a boppish version of "How High the Moon" and a jam on the Ron Carter bluesy "81," one of several songs that has a spot for trumpeter Chris Battistone. Two vocals by Gil Scott-Heron (a throwaway "Is That Jazz?" and "Blue Collar") are departures, and the closing number, "The Pulse," was Holloway's attempt to record rap with a positive message, although it falls short. Otherwise, this is an excellent effort.