Eric Person - Rhythm Edge (Distinction)

Though he has a raft of recordings under his own name, saxophonist Eric Person made his bones as a steadfast member of drummer/talent scout Chico Hamilton’s band, as well as a stalwart presence in NYC’s “free funk” scene by way of Ronald Shannon Jackson & the Decoding Society. For his twelfth album Rhythm Edge, he goes for a variety of melodic, hard- and post-bop jazz with, obviously, a strong rhythmic backbone. The title track barrels ahead like a runaway train, while Person layers tuneful lines over the top. “Supersonic” borders on free jazz, but keeps in the pocket, even as the soloists play outside. “It’s Time Again” mines the rich vein of late seventies jazz (a la Billy Harper or Arthur Blythe) that valued accessibility as much as energy, complexity, and unfiltered soloing. “Tyner Town” (presumably named after pianist McCoy Tyner and not late MC5 singer Rob Tyner) bursts with energy as it presents a vision of jazz fusion less interested in challenging listeners than inviting them in. “Pendulum Swing” adds a sweet dissonance to the harmonies that pushes Person to the album’s most potent soloing. With peers Ingrid Jensen (saxophone) and Robin Eubanks (trombone) joining him in the horn section and fellow traveler Cary DeNigris on guitar, Person leads a strong ensemble through his multifaceted tunes, meaning Rhythm Edge is never less than enjoyable, and often magical.