Eric Person and Meta-Four: Extra Pressure

On alto saxophonist-composer Eric Person’s fourth release, he introduces an enticing new ensemble, Meta-Four, which has the nimble responsiveness aptly suited for his slinky improvisations.

Person has a biting tone that’s at once cerebral and emotional. When he improvises, his lines often coil into intense knotty figures that release like minature sonic bombs. But Person is hardly only about explosive energy. He evenly paces his solos, like on the infectious “Fallout,” where he darts through the elaborate shuffling rhythm concocted by drummer E.J. Strickland, or on the sumptuous ballad “Song of September,” where he impassioned cries are pushed forth by Carlos Henderson’s roasty bass.

All of the compositions on Extra Pressure reveal Person to be as commanding a composer as he is a saxophonist. While a program of all originals may throw some people off who aren’t familiar with Person, but with every listen Person’s invigorating music subtly applies more pleasurable pressure.

Originally Published June 1, 2001