Peter Zak - Seed of Sin

Steeplechase

In previous review of a Peter Zak platter, I cracked wise about his alphabetically-challenged surname and its potential relationship to compromised sales. This latest effort from the pianist puts such conjecture to rest by providing another strong entry in his burgeoning catalog. Bassist Paul Gill is back for another round and this time the capable Quincy Davis (a new name to me) fills the drum chair. Zak responds to earlier observations of his affinity for other pianists by opening the program up to tunes borrowed from saxophonists. Additionally, he doesn’t go for the well known, preferring instead to pull dusty but promising heirlooms like Harold Land’s “Poor People’s March” and the Wayne Shorter-penned title piece. His approach to the keys offers an intriguing blend of detail and propulsion. Each keystroke is audible even at blistering tempos and it’s that precision that sustains interest even when Zak’s improvisations limn stock territory.

Zak’s own pianistic pantheon is audible in shards and slivers. On Jackie McLean’s “Minor Apprehension” he filters in piquant flavors of Bud Powell and George Wallington, favoring a breakneck delivery of complex stacked chords. The original “Horace’s Dream” also carries heavy Bud overtones in its darting harmonic progression, even moreso than the obvious Silverian dedicatee named by the title. Odd for a Steeplechase recording, Gill is a bit underserved by the stereo mix, his ensemble contributions less prominent, particularly when Davis is running at full steam on snare. Bird’s “Perhaps” extends a consolation as Zak leaves the lion’s share to the bassist’s supple pizzicato. All but three of the tracks time in at over six minutes, but only the leader-scripted bossa nova “Propinquity” feels over-long at nine-plus. Herbie Hancock’s “King Cobra” makes for an inspired outro, its layered modal structure effectively creating a mood anticipatory of the Zak’s next recording move. Access to the results may not be that far off as consumers appear more than willing to take those extra necessary steps to the terminus of the brick and mortar jazz racks.

[Steeplechase titles are available direct through Stateside AT prodigy.net]

~ Derek Taylor