From the Inside Out

Recorded five years before its release, this is alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo's debut as a leader. He is joined by trombonist Steve Davis, pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Nat Reeves, and drummer Carl Allen to perform five originals, two jazz classics, and two standards. The influence of alto sax great Jackie McLean is evident on this recording, as Davis, Reeves, and Allen have played in McLean-led groups, and DiRubbo studied under McLean at the Hartt School of Music. DiRubbo even displays the same sharp sound and urgent attack as McLean, while Allen's versatile drumming gives the music much of its flavor. Favorites include the burning title track, Sahib Shihab's medium swinger "Rue De La Harpe," DiRubbo's "Role Reversal," which alternates between medium swing and up-tempo burn, a surprisingly good version of "Over the Rainbow," played here as a fast waltz, and Davis' reggae-flavored "The Search Within." This is a fine debut by a promising young musician.