May 2002

Rob Ryndak
Stay With It
Southport

By Hilarie Grey

Rob Ryndak's Stay With It (Southport S-SSD 0070; 44:12) is meditative in its glowing, comforting arrangements and ultimately uplifting in execution and theme. The pianist/composer executes his leads in a fleet, soft style, from the lightly stroked sparkling runs of "Compassion," marked by gently Latin-derived horn harmony, to the mellow solo meditation "Piano Interlude for Clare." Atmospheres are carefully constructed for contrast, like "Bell Rock," which evokes both Steely Dan and Tangerine Dream, and the classic-meets-Brazilian-electro-beat treatment of "Soft Spoken," with horns running melodically like the old Tijuana Brass. Ryndak's supportive ensemble includes saxophonist Steve Cole, whose tenor echoes give "Stay With It" an inspirational, from-the-heart feel, and John Moulder, whose nylon guitar shapes a happy mood on "Discovery" and reaches deeply into Spanish territory, conveying adventure and struggle against the rippling, peaceful circular motion of "Nepsis."