Sweet Potato 1982 by Bennie Green

Sunday morning has always seemed to me to be jazz-time, that space in the natural rhythm of things where the jazz idiom so neatly fits. Lately, a pair of Mainers have been more than adequately filling that space, at least between these ears: Ted Casher from Skowhegan and Rick Bishop of Waterville.

The Ted Casher Quintet’s Movin'Back (TNM Records NS108) was recorded fully nine months ago at Normandy Sound in Warren, Rhode Island. Yet it's a sound well suited to bright, sunny, summer mornings much like that of Spyrogyra's from the opening bare of Casher's "Move Over" to bassist Joe Coroniti's closing "Rejouissance."

There's no doubt that this is Casher's group as his saxes sign each composition with an indelible, if not always bold, signature. His own "Home Country" is his showcase. It's a fluid and relaxing piece that shows the author's deep feeling for that place by the warm caressing he administers to his instrument. "Song For An Old Squaw" (which finds him coaxing an almost coronet sound from his alto) further demonstrates the case with which Casher molds his horns into extensions of his own emotional outlook.

Still, keyboardist Mike Garvan authored four of the LPs seven selections including its centerpiece, "Samba Del Buelgh." "Samba" is the best example of the total group in action, particularly the rhythm section. Bassist Coroniti and drummer Chris Bellomo handle the rapid latin tempo beautifully. Casher shines again on multiple saxes and Garvan fingers some nice electric piano as well as playing synthesized strings into just the right places.

The band's latest addition, guitarist Mark Small, doesn't get a lot of space, but does well when the opportunities arise on "Brother Joe" and as Casher's muted foil on "Home Country."

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