Paul Kendall - Unspoken Words (1998)

Tenor saxophonist Paul Kendall has a patient way of improvising, never rushing his thoughts or pushing the envelope. He displays a little of the cool of Stan Getz, the bravado of Joe Lovano, and the bluesiness of an early period Sonny Rollins. This mix creates a very pleasant listening experience in organ trio settings, with either the veteran of Ruth Brown's bands for 25 years, Bobby Forrester, or young, award-winning Michiganian Ron Oswanski on the B-3. Drummers are the very competent Rudy Petschauer or Mike Petrocini. Kendall triples up on the bossa novas; "Love for Sale," the loping "Triste," and "You Don't Know What Love Is." Forrester smoulders on the first, and Oswanski is similarly mellow, even a bit cerebral on the latter two. Forrester bops brightly, but in a more sparse mode for the highlight "Solar," but really gets his groove thing goin' on "Db Blues," and this seems to be his natural element. The lengthy "Autumn in New York" seems to linger forever with a zen-like endless solo from Forrester, every bar is precious. Though many should focus on the organists, Kendall keeps pace well, his tenor highly melodic, changing with every tune, far from rote, dispassionate or cliched. It is in fact to his credit that his ability to effortlessly adapt to these different styles is the glue holding these ensembles firmly together, keeping them completely focused. This CD is more enjoyable as it goes on, and also bears repeated listenings. A very good recording, with promise for even better things to come.~Unspoken Words Review by Michael G. Nastos