Who says there is no future for jazz music? With such young innovators as David Binney, Shawn Maxwell, Chris Washburne and Bob Reynolds, among others, out there I must heartily disagree. Now coming in at the eleventh hour of 2006, is the debut release by the Joel Moore Quartet that again proves that there are exciting young jazz musicians who intend on taking jazz music into the future. And I must say that based on the results, jazz seems to be in good hands. The Joel Moore Quartet consists of tenor saxophonist Joel Moore, along with keyboardist Jakub Rojek (late of Shawn Maxwell's Quartet), double-bassist Bob Ferraris and drummer Paul Townsend. All are talented players who aggressively yet sensitively attack the music with obvious relish on this "live-in-the-studio" recording. On the opener, "Fireside," Townsend's relentless drumming, Ferraris' mysterious bowed bass and Rojek's Rhodes open up before Moore comes in with a strirring melody and you immediately know these guys mean business. Rojek's playing meshes intimately with the sound of Moore's tenor, while the interplay between Ferraris and Townsend is uncanny. The solos by all the players are satisfying and surprising in the directions taken. "Hindsight" - another Moore original (as are all the compositions are on this recording - "November" being a Moore/Rojek collaboration) is a sultry, sexy stroll with impressive work by Moore (fire) and Rojek (ice - on acoustic piano) over a bubbling rhythm section groove. In hindsight, Ferrasis 'solo is also a highlight - proving bass solos don't always have to be a train wreck (in Duke Elington's words) that stops the forward propulsion of the musical flow. If it weren't 9 minutes long - and if contemporary jazz radio wasn't so bland - this would be a hit. "Hat Trick" follows and presents a killer melodic theme before moving into a charging walking bass middle section graced by Moore's early Coltrane-inspired riffing, Rojek's skittering piano, Ferrasis again on a nice bass spot, and finally Townsend's tastefully gracious solo. This is old school - music inspired by the best of bop, yet not slavishly devoted to the past. To mix paraphrases: Joel Moore and company are standing on the shoulders of giants, but they are looking at the stars. "Longing" follows and cranks it down a notch, but the musical ripples - especially Moore's sax forays - are pure romantic moonlight. "November" uses inventive changes and strong melodic hooks to provide the format for substantive solos and energetic group playing. These guys sound like they've been playing together for years they are so keyed into each other's vibe. But it is "Catchin' the Trane" - a burning track based on "Giant Steps" that ends the CD that really opens ones eyes - leaving a huge smile on the face of the listener. One of the best things about reviewing music is the discovery of new artists with potential - and Joel Moore and his quartet certainly have a great deal of that. This is exciting music that references the past with reverence, while updating it to our present day. Bravo!

AFter listening to the CD a few times, the sound reminded me of newer Jazz sounds like James Carter, Manhanttan Trinity, Pieces of a Dream and Joshua Redman. The first three songs on the CD are just wonderful. I thought the music flowed quite well and it showcased some of the musical talent in the band. The recordings were engineered fairly well. The CD sounded good. However, not quite as good as Mapleshade or Chesky. Overall, if like this type of Jazz, this is must buy. The band is very solid and I highly recommend looking them up if you are in the Chicago area. CD Rating... 4.5 out 5 stars.