In Process

by Scott YanowBrian Lynch was the trumpeter in the last edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. This CD, recorded just a few days after Blakey's death, finds Lynch leading a hard bop date in the Messengers tradition with three other alumni (tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson, pianist Benny Green, and bassist Dennis Irwin) aboard, along with altoist Jim Snidero and drummer Anthony Reedus. The trumpeter's wide range and powerful style are well-featured on the quartet and sextet tracks. Lynch's lyrical outings on "Flamingo" and "I Should Care," the struttin' minor blues "D.T.M.Y.M.," and the driving "After Dark" are among the high points of this fine straight-ahead set.