Nonchalant (feat. Rich Perry)

For his third Steeplechase CD, trumpeter Dave Scott once again focuses on a set of challenging original compositions (all extended performances), while utilizing the same musicians as on early Steeplechase sessions: tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, pianist Gary Versace, bassist John Hebert, and drummer Jeff Williams. The opener, casually titled "Nonchalant," has more of an ominous sound that will provoke listeners to look over their shoulders. "Frenetic Meditation" blends Scott and Perry in the front line, playing in unison much of the time over the pulsing rhythm section. The lengthy "Hanging and Dealing" continues much in the same manner, with Hebert's softly walking bass and Williams' sensitive percussion backing Perry's emotional solo, while Hebert also gets a taste of the spotlight with an intriguing solo. One may hear the influence of George Russell in the tense "On a Certain Level," with Versace's sparse piano chords encouraging Perry and Scott. Like Dave Scott's earlier CDs, Nonchalant takes more than a few spins to explore, but it is well worth the effort.