Carl Allen: Tippin’

CELLAR MUSIC 3262 (RELEASED JANUARY 10, 2025)

I am not certain why drummer Carl Allen’s first recording as a leader in 20 years is titled
Tippin’? For me, a more appropriate name could be the title of an Irving Berlin classic included on this set — “They Say It’s Wonderful.” The finesse and fluidity of Allen coupled with the rock-solid pulse of bassist Christian McBride and the husky and probing sound of saxophonist Chris Potter is a wonderful combination. The story behind the session is wonderful as well. Allen was on a recording session with Renee Rosnes that included McBride and Potter. Listening to the interaction between the three inspired Allen to record a trio session in the mold of Sonny Rollins’ classic A Night at The Village Vanguard. With minimal rehearsals and a recording session of only five hours, Allen trusted the gifts of McBride and Potter to help shape the music that includes everything from older standards to jazz classics and more recent jazz compositions to originals. You know you are in for a swinging, adventuresome and wonderful listening experience from the opening measures of Charlie Parker’s “Parker’s Mood.” Potter’s tenor sax is in full force on this classic as well as the 1949 hit “Happy Times,” a ballad titled “A Morning Story,” the trio’s take on Pat Metheny’s “James” and several other familiar tunes. Potter’s bass clarinet takes the lead on “Hidden Agenda,” a modal tune reminiscent of John Coltrane’s “Equinox” and Kenny Barron’s “Song for Abdullah,” which adds a nice solo from pianist John Lee to the mix. Potter’s soprano solos are ideal for the more angular “Alter Ego” and the classic jazz waltz “Inch Worm.” Potter, however, is not the only one who’s playing makes Tippin’ wonderful. Whether he is keeping the pulse, walking bass lines or soloing, McBride adds the perfect touch to each and every tune. Allen displays the qualities of a polite drummer, never getting in the way of Potter or McBride but simply providing a rhythmic cushion on which they can float. Allen has been the driving force behind numerous recordings and bands since the early 1990s. It is nice to see him in the lead again with Tippin’, or should I say “They Say It’s Wonderful,” because this recording certainly is!

BOTTOM LINE: It’s another case pf jazz déjà vu. In 1957, saxophonist Sonny Rollins pioneered the pianoless trio concept with the release of A Night at The Village Vanguard. Sixty-eight years later, drummer Carl Allen walked into the studio to lead his pianoless trio of bassist Christian McBride and saxophonist Chris Potter Like the Rollins date, Allen’s Tippin’ features the trio working through a set of jazz classics, standards and originals. And like the Rollins’ session, Tippin’ is perfect in every way.