Billy Hart - Oceans of Time (1997)

The same lineup that graced Billy Hart's 1993 effort, Amethyst, is augmented on this 1997 follow-up by the second saxophone of Chris Potter. Once again, Mark Feldman's violin and David Fiuczynski's guitar contribute highly unorthodox textures and tones. If anything, Fiuczynski goes out on even more of a limb, especially on Potter's gentle yet intricate "Tosh," and Hart's Coltrane-inspired "Téulé's Redemption," the latter of which also features a maniacal tenor solo by John Stubblefield. Hart also gives us the title track, "Oceans of Time," a funk-tinged tune in seven. Bassist Santi Debriano's "Mindreader," with its climactic dual-saxophone battle, is one of the more intense and challenging pieces; pianist David Kikoski and Debriano himself also deliver strong solos. In addition, Debriano's "Offering" serves as a dissonant, swinging finale. Fiuczynski does not contribute a tune this time around, but Feldman offers the evocative waltz "Father Demo Square," featuring Potter on bass clarinet, and Stubblefield provides the opener, "One for Carter," a spirited Latin romp written in honor of Carter Jefferson. As was the case on Amethyst, there is a previously recorded David Kikoski composition: "Shadow," a beautiful piece that appears on the pianist's 1995 self-titled trio disc.