Ron Bosse and Pursuance: Next Level

The leader of this Boston-based quintet is a Berklee alum with considerable guitar chops. Rounding out his high-energy group are tenor man Dave Barraza, bassist Christian F. Bausch, drummer Rob Egan, and vibraphonist Will Hudgins, a percussionist for the Boston Symphony.

With an obvious penchant for grooving, fast tempos, Bosse-who also penned all of the set’s material-sculpts long, arching lines on tunes like “The Return,” “Stress Case,” and “Optimism.” But he can also phrase spaciously and even get downright bluesy, as is the case with “Seventy One,” a swinging cross between “Au Privave,” “Straight No Chaser,” “Billie’s Bounce,” and “Well You Needn’t” that enables him to both bop and get down. Throughout, his band mates get in some killer solos of their own, with Bausch showing some of his stuff during the title track’s free flowing intro and Barraza burning intensely after things kick into a solid groove. It all adds up to an aggressive performance with the promise of greater things to come.

Originally Published May 1, 1999