Once Through

Once Through is a quartet led by saxophonist/flutist Dan Moretti; it also includes guitarist Bruce Bartlett, bassist Marty Ballou, and drummer Marty Richards. Once Through is also the name of the album, and its an apt title: the nine tracks included here were all recorded live in the studio, and most of them are first takes. At first glance, the program looks like the usual program of standards performed by a more or less predictable combo of sax, guitar, bass, and drums. Look closer, though, and youll notice that the first track is a smoldering arrangement of the Bill Withers soul classic "Aint No Sunshine," which is then closely followed by a version of "Tenderly" on which Moretti plays incredibly sweet-toned flute and leads the band from a well-organized head into a free jazz jungle before bringing them out the other side again for the out chorus. "Bags Groove" is unrecognizable at first, but soon emerges in a dark, downtempo arrangement; the Thelonious Monk standard "Rhythm-A-Ning," on the other hand, is a headlong romp on which the guitar lays out completely, leaving an Ornette Coleman-ish feel to the proceedings. The variety of textures in evidence and the intelligence behind these arrangements, in addition to the virtuosity of the playing, make this a very special record. ~ Rick Anderson