Purple Violets (2005)

About this title: Danish drummer Kresten Osgood was pleased with his small-group Purple Violets, but the young musician needed an added catalyst, so he recruited octogenarian Sam Rivers to travel from Florida to New York for these remarkable studio sessions. Joined by vibraphonist Bryan Carrott and bassist Ben Street, they open with a stimulating remake of Rivers' decades-old hard bop vehicle "Solace," showcasing the composer's still-potent tenor sax. Rivers switches to soprano sax for an unusual take of Duke Ellington's masterpiece from the 1920s, "The Mooche," which opens with Street's unaccompanied solo ... read more

Tracks:

1. Solace [Rivers]
2. The Mooche [Ellington]
3. Captain America [Osgood/Street/River]
4. Abalone [Osgood]
5. In Search of Black Benny [Osgood]
6. Turbulence [Osgood/Rivers]
7. Where to Go?!? [Osgood]
8. Moderation [Osgood/Street/River]
9. Space [Rivers/Carrott]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.