Sunday revisit: Stein, Ward, Revis and Black's Nature Work

Nature Work: Nature Work (Sunnyside Records)

Jason Stein: bass clarinet
Greg Ward: alto sax
Eric Revis: double bass
Jim Black: drums

I’m not quite sure what prompted me to revisit Nature Work, the 2019 album by Jason Stein, Greg Ward, Eric Revis and Jim Black. It might have been that I was doing some background reading ahead the upcoming album by Stein, Anchors, which is to be released on AUM Fidelity on September 13. It might have been something else entirely.

Whatever the reason, it’s been a very happy revisit. Although, it’s not like it slipped entirely under my radar back when it was released. Looking back at my notes, I had placed it among my top 25 albums of the year. And 2019 was a pretty strong year for albums. Yet, I somehow never got to cover it in writing, and listening to it again this weekend, I feel like it deserves more attention. Because it’s a cracking album.

Considering the talent involved, all of whom I greatly admire, that perhaps shouldn’t come as a surprise. But for a group to shine, there also has to be some rapport between those talented individuals. Judging by Nature Work, theses four were very much on the same wavelength.

The opener, “The Shiver”, starts with some quick, short run ups by Ward and Stein, before a brawny bass and drums combo sends the tune into a free wheeling swing that continues during Ward’s solo, and then slips into delightfully off kilter rhythm during Stein’s.

The two reedmen trade ideas, melodies and solos, as if they’re completing each others sentences throughout. With Revis, whose combination of wizardly dexterity, depth and power I’ve always bee drawn to, and Black, who has this wonderful facility for both wild abandon, oddly hypnotic beats, as well as applying the gentlest of touches, you have a bass and drum combo you know will add something a bit different, and special, to the mix.

The albums is terrific from beginning to end, brimming with adventure, wit, groove and more, but some highlights include the heavy “Porch Time”, the gorgeous “Opter Fopter”, and the jaunty and funky “Tah Dazzle”. Here’s hoping for a second album.