David Liebman/Roberto Tarenzi/Paolo Benedettini/Tony Arco
Negative Space
Verve Forecast
By George W. Harris

Soprano/tenor saxist David Liebman has been one of the leading torch carriers for the late period Coltrane sound. On this disc, he finds himself in the company of a very sympathetic Italian trio during a pair of concerts in Bari and Lamezia Terme. The working trio of Arco (dr) Benedettini (b) and Tarenzi (p) is a perfect and symbiotic unit for Liebman to work out a set of originals and standards. Liebman is in perfect form, and in quite a boppish mood, snapping through the tribute to George Ira Gershwin (“G.I.G.”) with crackling delight. “Negative Space” and “Get Me Back To The Apple” both let everyone stretch out a bit; Tarenzi is a master at two fisted playing, both in support of the aggressive tunes, and during his solos. Arco gets some room to breath during the intro of “Negative Space”, and is marvelous on the loping “Poinciana”. The latter, reharmonized, features Liebman’s musty tenor at it’s finest. The closing “Afro Blue” is an assertive tribute to Coltrane, with everyone keeping their own identity in homage to their inspiration. Liebman’s range of styles on this well paced concert disc is remarkable, making this a treat for his fans.