With his fourth album as leader, New York-based trombonist David Gibson shows why he has become such a vital player and musical force, providing A Little Somethin’ to think about. This Thelonious Monk Award-winning trombonist also brings his skills as a composer and arranger to bear, delivering five creative originals among the nine-piece repertoire that features a wealth of musical styles, ranging from straight-ahead and funky to modern and a taste of classical.
Gibson shares the front line with alto saxophonist Julius Tolentino; the quartet is rounded out by drummer Quincy Davis and organist Jared Gold—the latter also releasing his own Supersonic (2009), on Posi-Tone Records. This is an actual working band, performing in various venues throughout the New York City area.
Gibson wastes no time in establishing the tone, opening up with his best composition, “The Cobbler”—a melody-rich, straight-ahead piece featuring a burning solo from Tolentino and follow-up solos from Gold and Gibson make this a “must listen.” The aptly titled “Hot Sauce” possesses a hard-driving percussive rhythm, providing plenty of heat. There is rather interesting take on the standard “April in Paris,” where Tolentino’s alto soars with wings provided by Gibson’s thick-toned trombone voice and Gold’s able organ phrasings.
The organist finally takes charge with a fine intro to Gibson’s “French Press,” grinding the keyboard and yielding to the leader for what is one of his finest solos on the recording. With Gold’s “In The Loop,” Gibson introduces a strong element of funk with heavy organ and drum interludes, as his trombone remains largely silent. The music shifts to modern mainstream for “One for Jackie,” returning to a more traditional approach on “This End Up!” and the closing title piece, completing A Little Somethin’—an album with a bit of something for everyone.