Below Zero

Stefan Karlsson's quartet release (with bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith and, on half of the selections, tenor-saxophonist Richard Perry) has some performances that sound like a logical extension of Bill Evans's trio although this group is flexible enough to play fairly free during parts of "Infinite." Karlsson, an enthusiastic and versatile modern mainstream player, contributes eight strong compositions ("All You Were to Us," "El Ontono" and "You'll Never Believe" are quite memorable) and there is strong communication between the members of his rhythm section. "Dear Old Stockholm" (with its excellent bowed bass solo by Reid) is one of the many highpoints of this easily recommended disc.