Tribute

Recorded not long before Rick Mandyck switched from sax to guitar, Tribute is a duo album that speaks loudly to the specific influence of John Coltrane's classic band. Throughout the album, Rick Mandyck invokes Coltrane's freer years (post sheets-of-sound at any rate), and drummer Greg Keplinger pounds the skins to make Elvin Jones proud. Really, this is pounding that would make Ginger Baker proud. Sonic possibilities are explored openly, from original compositions from Mandyck to Coltrane works (and a spare Duke Ellington piece), and the exploration is done in an interesting give and take between the musicians. Extended solos, pure exploratory wanderings, free jazz interludes, and the actual melodies of the songs are blended together into a swirling array of sound. This is very powerful jazz, and should be handled with care.