Brian Lynch Quartet - Fuchsia / Red (2003)

Trumpeter Brian Lynch is famous for playing high-quality hard bop, formerly with the last version of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers in addition to the Phil Woods Quintet and his own combo dates. Fuchsia/Red is definitely a change of pace because the music mostly falls into the area of fusion. With Brad Turner dominating the ensembles on electric keyboards, Lynch sounds surprisingly comfortable in this setting, performing his originals plus a song by Björk. Some of the music is reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard's better funk projects, while other selections are closer to prime fusion of the late '60s/early '70s, a bit like Miles Davis' groups. "Magenta's Waltz" is a little more mainstream but otherwise this is a date that is more highly recommended to fans of fusion than to Lynch's usual audience. © Scott Yanow