Dues In Progress

On his seventh release for Capri, it is immediately apparent that Keith Oxman's abilities as a writer make him a force to be reckoned with. The tenor saxophonist makes his small group sound like a much larger band in his creative arrangement of the standard "I Hear a Rhapsody," showcasing veteran trombonist Curtis Fuller, trumpeter Al Hood, and pianist Chip Stephens, in addition to himself. Fuller's "Cap'n Kid" is cast as a playful calypso with Todd Reid's tom-toms and Stephens' Latin groove providing plenty of fuel for the soloists. Oxman really demonstrates how far he's willing to push the envelope by adding Peter Cooper's oboe as the initial lead voice in a warm quintet setting of "Darn That Dream." The leader also contributed several thoughtful originals to the date, including the sassy, very hip "Anna Kate" and the challenging blues "Two Wheelin' Nathan," in which Fuller takes top solo honors. This enjoyable CD is warmly recommended to hard bop fans.