With Love, From Chicago, the album the Kansas City based saxophonist Adam Larson released in February, is outstanding. Good news: the followup With Love, From Kansas City is its equal.
The Kansas City based tandem of bassist Ben Leifer and drummer John Kizilarmut is as formidable as the rhythm section of Clark Sommers and Dana Hall featured on With Love, From Chicago.
On both alto and tenor, Larson’s tone possesses the impact of a pair of brass knuckles. Packed with swagger, the music made by the hard-charging trio crackles with energy.
“New Thread” sounds like an instant classic. An inventive take on Peter Shlamb’s “REL,” a recently minted Kansas City standard, is wonderful. A ferocious attack on Charlie Parker’s “Chi-Chi” is even more exciting.
Thousands of people recently celebrated the 102nd birthday of Parker by revisiting Bird’s recordings. Listening to Larson’s phenomenal new albums may be an even better way to acknowledge Parker’s legacy.