Chris Greene Quartet

I receive many requests to review CDs, mostly from local Midwest area bands, but some from as far a field as Europe and Asia. One of the problems that I find in reviewing local musicians (wherever “local” may be situated) is that these efforts are often nothing more than vanity records, something to sell at gigs and to give a feeling of self-importance. When soul and science, volume one by Chris Greene’s quartet dropped into my mail box a few days ago, I had no qualms about reviewing it, having witnessed the band playing around the Chicago area for the last few years. My only concern was whether the quartet could capture on CD the raw energy that they generate when playing to a live audience. I needn’t have worried, the “live jazz” feeling was captured on disc perfectly.  

The quartet incudes Chris Greene (saxophones), Damian Espinosa (piano), Marc Piane (bass), and Tyrone Blair (drums). This five-track album certainly shows the quartet’s musical diversity, featuring music composed by soul legend Stevie Wonder; rocker Sting; jazzman Tommy Turrentine; bandleader Duke Ellington, together with a band original to complete the set.  

Stevie Wonder’s "Boogie On Reggae Woman" starts off the proceedings with Tyrone laying down a steady beat before Chris’ probing tenor takes command.  Damian is featured playing some excellent soulful piano, while Marc’s steady bass pulse knits perfectly with Tyrone’s subtle drumming. The quartet has successfully turned this pop tune into a legitimate jazz vehicle. "4.23" is without doubt the album’s standout track - a catchy number that would make a great single release, having one of those melodies that you just cannot get out of your head, one that you find yourself humming hours later. This original composition has Chris switching from tenor to soprano, his haunting saxophone lines weaving in and out of the great rhythmic patterns created by Tyrone’s repetitive cowbell and Damian’s dominant piano. This is a contemporary masterpiece that will hopefully help bring jazz to the masses!  

The tempo slows down to a crawl for Tommy Turrentine’s lovely ballad, "Bonnie." Here, Chris displays his more tender side, with his delicate tenor sax playing being complemented by Damian’s sympathetic piano work. Marc’s propulsive bass introduces us to Sting’s "King of Pain," an unusual choice for a jazz recording, albeit one that works extremely well. The leader again switches to the higher-register soprano, with his superb playing dominating the piece. In the background, the engine is well stoked by the hard working rhythm section. The final track, "Caravan," is an eleven-minute tour de force for the whole band. An ostinato piano introduction provides a perfect platform for Chris’ hard-biting Coltrane-influenced tenor, which floats over Damian and Tyrone’s funky piano/cowbell interplay, the latter’s talents being showcased with an extremely tasteful drum solo towards the end of the track.  

This tight-knit band has a great future if they can continue to mine this rich vein of musical gold that they have discovered. What I like most about these guys is that they are a single entity – a band, not just a collection of musicians who feel they need to solo on every tune. I am definitely looking forward to soul and science, volume two turning up in my mail box sometime next year.