LA Jazbos

What might seem quite a run of the mill jazz album but one that I enjoy and find strangely satisfying. The name in the frame is Charlie Haden and the title of the cd Quartet West, because of the LA location and noir inspiration behind the project. Beside Haden on bass, the remaining members of the quartet are Ernie Watts on assorted sax, Alan Broadbent on piano and Billy Higgins on drums. All have possibly played more adventurous and groundbreaking music but the subtlety and easy groove displayed here go far beyond any kind of cocktail jazz. Among some originals, there are reworkings of material by such as Charlie Parker, Billy Strayhorn, Ornette Coleman and Pat Metheny as well as an exquisite reading of the standard My Foolish Heart. There is also a seven minute solo bass workout for Haden which deftly incorporates folk and old r'n'b themes and swings like mad. There were other albums by the Quartet West grouping and they seemed to provide a solid back to the roots home for these musicians.