Todd Herbert
The Tree Of Life
Metropolitan Records
By George W. Harris

Todd Herbert is a tenorist that has got Coltrane in his dna. This collection of originals has Herbert leading a quartet that has it’s roots in the Atlantic-era of Coltranes career. “I’m Down”, which has a nice bluesy groove, is reminiscent of “Equinox”, while “Years Of Dreaming” hearkens to “Naima”, with its gentle softness. The thrythm section of Anthony Wonsey (p), Dwayne Burno (b) and Jason Brown (dr), is right in the pocket, and is able to cruise through the driving “Maharishi” and the boppish “Do This” with abandon and ease. Not imitative of Coltrane per se; more likely in debt, Herbert has put out a disc of advanced hard bop that holds the tradition while searching for new lands.