Lotus Flower
His trombone slides its way across paths between notes--always finding spaces between conventionally defined sounds--so one can easily see why Steve Turre would excel in a string-heavy ensemble. And if you want to hear the evidence, here's its best manifestation. With violinistRegina Carterand cellist Akua Dixon on the nominal frontline with Turre,Lotus Flowerjoins the viscous, busy rhythms of drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Buster Williams with milky melodies that float and froth. "Chairman of the Board" puts on display the bop chops Turre has always made part of his option range, but it's during tracks likeRahsaan Roland Kirk's chamberesque "The Inflated Tear" and the slow blues-swing of "Sposin'" that Turre sinks his feet into harmonically woven, roundly formed musical earth. For those who found Turre's legendarySanctified Shellshis highest creative points, you'll be newly amazed after "Shorty," the set-closer that once again shows how much music can come from air blown through conch shells.--Andrew Bartlett