December 2008

Martin Wind Quartet
Salt ‘N Pepper!
Challenge Records

By Bill Milkowski

Bassist-composer Martin Wind and his outstanding sidemen—pianist Bill Cunliffe, drummer Greg Hutchinson, reedman Scott Robinson—strike a rare accord on this eclectic project that ranges from the meditative opener “The Dream” to a rambunctious take on Monk’s “Bright Mississippi,” a provocative trio piece with Robinson on bass clarinet (“Remember October 13th”), a jaunty rendition of Bill Evans’ “Turn Out the Stars” and an earthy second-line tune (“Early Morning Blues”). Wind’s bowing mastery is showcased on a sublime interpretation of Ellington’s “Come Sunday.”