Ehrlich is a young reedman (heard here on alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet and flute) who hasn`t given up on the avant garde, although within that realm his inclinations are lyrical and somewhat conservative.
Backed by bassist Anthony Cox and drummer Pheeroan Aklaff, Ehrlich begins with a strong, heated alto piece that displays his genuine melodic gifts; and these virtues are apparent throughout the program–particularly on the lovely ”Lament” (flute), the rumbustious, angular title track (bass clarinet)
and the haunting ”Dark Woods, Bright Sparks” (clarinet).
Best of all, Ehrlich always leaves one with the feeling that he is making direct emotional contact with the music and not hiding behind a
”jazzy” attitude. This is Ehrlich`s first album under his own name, and it certainly shouldn`t be his last.
