(Faith in Action on the Polytone label is Orrin Evans' latest effort. He's working towards a big band date that'll feature musicians from New York and his home base Philadelphia.)
The first set was built amidst on-the-fly thoughtful improvisation so rigorous that by the second piece Revis--the heartbeat of this quartet and the one who seems to have the most telepathic connection to the leader--had already sweat through his suit jacket by the time they finished the piece Miles," dedicated to Evans' young son. A trickster arrangement of Mingus' seldom interpreted Scenes in the City" found Warfield circling the theme then darting to the bullseye essence of that typically enchanting Mingus melody as the piece unfolded.
Orrin Evans consistently challenges himself and his mates, ever mindful of the traditional values, but prodding and plotting originality all along the watchtower. Contemplation begat some swinging business as the family guy's fine tribute to his mother-in-law Dita" unfolded. Now how often do you hear warm, sincere in-law tributes?