Adam Rogers - Allegory (2003)

After establishing a solid reputation as part of the fusion collective Lost Tribe and as a sideman with the likes of Michael and Randy Brecker, Ravi Coltrane, and others, guitarist Adam Rogers is flexing his considerable chops as a leader. Allegory , his sophomore effort, adds tenor saxophonist Chris Potter to Rogers' quartet with pianist Edward Simon, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Clarence Penn. It features ten original compositions that display his quirky, syncopated melodies and clean, fluid guitar style over driving (and often odd-time) rhythms. Potter's saxophone adds weight to the melodies, many of them played in unison with Rogers' guitar. The arrangements are straight-ahead with pronounced heads and solo sections. But the interplay between the musicians and their improvisatory abilities keeps things unpredictable. On "Phyrigia," Colley plays a thematic bass solo over the Eastern-like changes, and Potter blisters through the upper registers of the tenor during his lead, prodded by Penn's flourishes. "Genghis" also features a guitar-saxophone melody, which slowly unfolds over a plodding, funky groove.

Tracklist:

01. Confluence
02. Phyrigia
03. Was
04. Genghis
05. Angle Of Repose
06. Orpheus
07. Red Leaves
08. Cleveland
09. Purpose
10. Angle Of Repose - Reprise