Odean Pope, Plant Life
Featured Album
Longtime Max Roach collaborator steps out
The Philly native and longtime Max Roach cohort appears here without his Saxophone Choir or regular rhythm section in a piano-less trio emphasizing his brawny tone in a more mainstream, less “outside” manner. Instead of squeaks, squawks and caterwauls, he attacks the melodies with a dogged rigor, varying his tenor sax phrases just slightly to achieve a vampish yet impressionistic effect. Of his two sidemen, drummer and transplanted Philadelphian Sonny Murray (now living in Paris) is the bigger name, but, perhaps due to age or the ghost of Roach, is more of a spectral presence, with murmuring snare accents and gentle cymbal work. The bulk of the solos and more notably creative flourishes behind Pope go to bassist Lee Smith, also from Philly, who happens to be the father of prodigious bassist Christian McBride. Smith unfurls a wonderful, tickling solo right after Pope's beautiful bid on “I Want To Talk About You” (the lone standard), hurls “Scorpio Twins” out of the gate with a fleet solo and rarely relinquishes the reins the rest of the tune, and delivers a thick, woody tone to enhance “Multiphonic.” Ultimately, of course, this is Pope's playground, and those who have appreciated his sturdy, painstaking style and distinct, almost closeted, sense of swing, will find plenty to like, particularly the solo track “Thoughts,” where he rises into the spotlight with a greater warmth and intimacy.
