David Liebman Trio - Lieb Plays The Blues À La Trane

(Daybreak/Challenge)

Saxophonist David Liebman has never hidden his debt to the example of John Coltrane, but is by no means just a Coltrane clone, and this scintillating live set finds him exploring the legacy in his own signature style on both tenor and soprano saxophones (along with Steve Lacy, Coltrane was pre-eminent in establishing the latter horn as a major vehicle in post-bop jazz). The idea for the disc arose from an impromptu change in the repertoire for a planned gig in Belgium.

The saxophonist is joined by bassist Marius Beets and drummer Eric Ineke on five blues tunes by or associated with Coltrane, although the first, ‘All Blues’, is better known as a Miles Davis classic. Ellington’s ‘Take The Coltrane’ closes the set, and these covers bracket three of Coltrane’s own tunes, ‘Up Against The Wall’, ‘Mr P. C.’ and ‘Village Blues’. Classic material given a fresh and creative dusting down in hugely enjoyable style.