Jazz: Damon Brown

Falling Forward ***

As a bass guitarist, Damon Brown seems more Steve Swallow than Jaco Pastorius -- more subtle and unassuming than flashy and show-stopping. At its best, "Falling Forward" (Infusion Time Recordings), his debut album, lies just outside the mainstream in its quirky melodic quality. Performances range from solo bass guitar to a rock-ish quintet.

Brown, with music degrees from N.C. Central University and East Carolina University and a teaching gig at NCCU, makes the album a homegrown affair by including mostly Tar Heel musicians. Triangle area drummer Dan Davis is impressive throughout, especially on Brown's "C.L.'s Stride," a funky, New Orleans-flavored tune with organist Adrian Duke and tenor saxophonist (and Duke University teacher) Dave Finucane. Most of the album, though, is less apparent in its influences.

Brown, Duke, Davis and Charlotte soprano saxophonist Seth Carper take playful turns on Brown's amusing "You Ain't No 6'5"." On the solo title track, Brown proves adept at self-accompaniment as he smoothly jumps back and forth between melody and harmony (or guitar and bass functions) on his six-string instrument, a facet he also explores with drummer Wayne Viar on Miles Davis' "Nardis" and vocalist Carlton Miles on the standard "But Beautiful."

To order the album, see web.mac.com/batclef/Damon_Brown/Home.html.