(Hard Bop, Post-Bop) Super Trombone (w/ Jim Pugh, Dave Bargeron, Ray Anderson, Dave Taylor) - Take Five - 2001, MP3, 320 kbps

Small groups with multiple trombones have usually been one-shot affairs or consisting of just two brass instruments, like J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding's group of the mid-'50s. But Super Trombone have evidently gained sufficient popularity in Japan to record several CDs, as this septet features four trombonists, including Jim Pugh, Ray Anderson, Dave Bargeron, and Dave Taylor. With arrangements by David Matthews, the group offers enticing interpretations of jazz classics like Dizzy Gillespie's "Be Bop," Horace Silver's "Song for My Father," and Paul Desmond's "Take Five," featuring strong solos and tight ensemble work. One surprise is a jumping setting of rocker Boz Scaggs' "We're All Alone," which fits in perfectly. Matthews' driving bop vehicle "Pop Up" is an excellent closer. Pianist Bill Mays, bassist Chip Jackson, and drummer Jeff Ballard make up the potent rhythm section.