Bassist Bruce Gertz's debut for the Italian RAM label is an interesting sampler of today's modern mainstream. The music is sometimes fairly straightahead and sometimes lightly funky while consistently featuring plenty of dynamic solos from Gertz's sidemen (tenor-saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, guitarist John Abercrombie, pianist Joey Calderazzo and drummer Adam Nussbaum) that, although tied to the tradition, are unpredictable and explorative. Abercrombie switches easily from rock-oriented sounds to a dryer tone reminiscent of his ECM dates. Bergonzi displays a tone influenced by Joe Henderson and John Coltrane, Calderazzo has his spots and Nussbaum is stimulating in support. The impressive Bruce Gertz (splitting his time between acoustic and electric bass) contributes seven of the nine selections, all but the standards Alone Together and "In Your Own Sweet Way." Gertz is showcased on "Third Eye" and "Prime Suspect" and has close interplay thorughout with Abercrombie, particularly on "Alone Together." Overall this is a superior outing by a variety of fine players. As a bonus, Gertz's liner notes (in which he traces the evolution of the jazz bass from the late '50s up to the present) are quite informative. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi

1		Small Fortune
2		Third Eye
3		Alone Together
4		Mixed Messages
5		In Memory
6		Deep Sea Vent
7		In Your Own Sweet Way
8		Prime Suspect
9		The News

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