10/25/11

Nick Hempton
The Business
Positone

By Bill Milkowski

Australian-born tenor saxophonist Nick Hempton relocated to Manhattan, where he now works with drummer Dan Aran, bassist Marco Panascia and pianist Art Hirahara. On his second outing as a leader, he follows his hard-bop muse on robust originals like “Flapjacks in Belo,” “Art Is in the Groove,” “Press One for Bupkis,” the tempo-shifting “From Bechet, Byas and Fats” and the uptempo burner “Not Here for a Haircut.” Guitarist Yotam Silberstein joins the core crew on “Cold Spring Fever” and the burning closer “Carry on Up the Blues,” which showcases his fleet-fingered abilities in full effect.