Jazz

Paul Carlon Octet, "Other Tongues" -3 Stars

Paul Carlon is an impressive young composer and arranger whose forte is Latin jazz. Based in New York, he leads a wide-ranging octet that serves as an outlet for his writng and tenor saxophone and flute playing. "Other Tongues" (Deep Tone), the group's debut, is notable for the rhythmic foundation and ensemble colors of his writing.

Carlon writes from the ground up: He establishes a rhythm and then details the contribution of each player to that foundation. For example, on "Lucid Dreaming," the first track, a bass vamp sets up the groove, and then horns are layered and dovetailed in. In this way, you get call-and-response of rhythms and a buildup of polyrhythms in different colors.

Carlon doesn't stint on the writing. His charts are full of background figures behind the soloists, his approach recalling Duke Ellington, who integrated soloist and ensemble into a continuous compositional unit. "Smada" (the only non-Carlon composition on the album), penned by Ellington-associate Billy Strayhorn, incorporates a haunting wordless vocal by guest singer Ileana Santamaria, one of three appearances she makes on the session. Using her voice in this hornlike way is another fine Carlon touch.

In addition to Carlon on tenor and flute, the octet includes alto saxophone (doubling on flute), trumpet, two trombones, piano, bass and drums. Bluesy tenor saxophonist Buddy Terry joins the group on "Street Beat," and Max Pollak, billed as the creator of Rumbatap (tap dancing that integrates Afro-Cuban rhythms) performs on "Rumbatapestry" and "Extraordinary Rendition." Bassist Dave Ambrosio and drummer William "Beaver" Bausch are key players in keeping this band on track. And pianist John Stenger proves especially inspired on his solo on the dark "Portals." Good use of flutes on this one, too.