MTB, the formidable New York-based lineup of pianist Brad Mehldau, saxophonist Mark Turner and guitarist Peter Bernstein, reunites with bassist Larry Grenadier, marking the group’s first collaboration as a cohesive unit since the early days of their groundbreaking careers on the Criss Cross label.

Founded in 1981 by Gerry Teekens, the company soon became a reliable platform for only the best up-and-coming talent, including Mehldau and Turner, who made some of their first significant recordings under the Dutchman’s informed guidance. After Teekens’s passing in 2019, his son Jerry Jr. has carried the torch with remarkable dedication as he continues to elevate different generations of esteemed artists to this very day. This latest release is a testament to his commitment of delivering the finest contributions the modern jazz scene has to offer, all the while honouring his father’s enduring vision and legacy. 

Boxing Day, 1994, was the exact date these cats first stepped foot into a Greenwich Village studio for the session that would go on to become Consenting Adults (2000) — described at the time as “a snapshot of five elite young improvisers… who will be among the movers and shakers of 21st Century Jazz at the conclusion of their postgraduate education.” That earlier album, as Mehldau described it, “captured all of us at the very start of discovering and shaping our own voices.” The quintet originally came together in the mid-1990s for select performances, exploring a noteworthy instrumental lineup that brought a fresh perspective to small-group jazz. Last year, four-fifths of the group’s original roster reunited in Astoria, New York, with drummer Bill Stewart seamlessly stepping into the role previously held by Leon Parker. Each of these musicians were destined for greatness well before their heyday, and present-day listeners will surely be provided with an immense satisfaction upon first hearing this new recording, Solid Jackson, as they are invited to ponder the profound space between these two historic releases.  

The title track, a Mehldau-penned B-flat number that opens the album, establishes a lively pace for his bandmates to emerge from within. Rather than a sudden burst of fiery intensity, it offers a more measured progression, allowing for a series of disarming musical reintroductions to unfold. ‘The Things That Fall Away’, an original composition by Bernstein, is a tenderly pulsing ballad reminiscent of guitarist (and fellow Criss Cross-alum) Kurt Rosenwinkel.

Turner, known for his harmonically rich sound, once again impresses as he trades phrases with the axeman, sharing the lead as they navigate the smooth, captivating ebb and flow of this delicate piece. Amongst the distinguished jazz luminaries honoured on the group’s previous album was Wayne Shorter, whose tune ‘Angola’ is also presented here on Solid Jackson, raising the temperature a further notch. 

Hank Mobley’s ‘Soft Impression’ follows, a minor blues that loses none of its satin groove amidst this contemporary context. Three more originals from each member of the frontline trio are interspersed, demonstrating the remarkable synergy and strong mutual understanding concocted between them over the years. Our grand reunion culminates with Harold Land’s “Ode To Angela”, first laid down by the saxophonist on his A New Shade of Blue for the Mainstream label in 1971. Here, Mehldau’s comping exudes a restrained yet atmospheric confidence; his chordal vamps evoke the polished, shimmering quality of Bobby Hutcherson’s vibraphone on the original record.

There’s no doubt surrounding the unmistakable dynamism Teekens Sr. must’ve recognised in these musicians’ individual styles, nor the vital role he played in launching their extraordinary careers. And, it’s a fitting tribute to hear these accomplished players return to where it all began, bringing with them three decades of experience, both together and apart.

Barney Whittaker

from www.prestomusic.com