Martino's Quiet Swing Revival
Pat Martino swings with easy confidence, sharing the stage with a sharp, fully engaged rhythm section.
Interchange opens with the sound of a working trio in full stride: Pat Martino's guitar moving lightly over Marc Johnson's bass and Sherman Ferguson's drums, with James Ridl's piano adding color and momentum. The tempos are brisk, the mood bright and unfussy, and the playing has the loose, conversational feel of musicians who know each other well.
The record sits in the post-bop tradition, and it is a pleasure precisely because it does not strain. Martino's melodic writing is strong, and the tunes give the band plenty of room to stretch out. Ferguson keeps things lively without turning the session into a showcase, and Johnson holds the foundation steady while Ridl slips in some nice harmonic turns.
Within Martino's catalogue, this is a solid entry rather than a starting point. Listeners new to him may want to begin with a more celebrated record, but anyone who enjoys straightforward, well-played jazz will find this one rewarding. Jazz writer Douglas Payne, writing for All About Jazz, called it a neglected post-bop classic and said Martino has never played better or with more verve, wit and energy.
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