November 2007

Mark Sherman
Family First
Miles High

By Forrest Dylan Bryant

The tightly woven fabric of vibraphonist Mark Sherman’s music envelops and pulls, giving even his ballads a certain sense of propulsion. Sherman’s plump, marimba-like solo sound and shimmering vamps bounce off Joe Magnarelli’s trumpet and flugelhorn breaks, while Allen Farnham’s piano provides refined support. Although it’s hard-edged postbop burners like the conga-laced “Wapango” that really make this disc compelling, several sunny tunes, including Farnham’s “Lazy Autumn” and Sherman’s own “Symmetrical,” provide a nicely homey contrast.