ALBUM REVIEW: "In The Nature Of Things"

By Ron Netsky

[
      {
        "name": "500x250 Ad",
        "insertPoint": "5",
        "component": "15667920",
        "parentWrapperClass": "",
        "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
      }
    ]

Leslie Pintchik

"In The Nature Of Things"

Pintch Hard Records

Lesliepintchik.com

Leslie Pintchik's latest album begins nicely enough. "With You In Mind" not only showcases Pintchik's formidable technique and nuanced style at the keyboard, it's also an excellent original composition. But it's the CD's second cut that lets the listener know that Pintchik stands apart from the crowd. "I'd Turn Back if I Were You" is an odd-ball masterpiece worthy of Thelonious Monk on which Pintchik's piano is set against the playful horns of Steve Wilson on saxophone and Ron Horton on trumpet.

In addition to her quartet with Scott Hardy on bass, Michael Sarin on drums and percussionist Satoshi Takeishi, six of the album's tracks feature horns — Hardy also wrote these superb horn arrangements. Another two tunes showcase just the quartet, including the album's only cover, a sensitive take on Lerner and Loewe's "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face." The album ends with a live trio track, Pintchik's "There You Go," and we're back to that quirky style mentioned above. It's another off-kilter classic.