Love One Another CD Review

by Geoff Chapman | The Toronto Star

The classy Vancouver tenor saxman has a sure-handed technique that lets him do it all, employing warmth, muscle, surprising twists and a beautiful sound that suits both burners and ballads. He’s written eight tunes for his seventh album as leader, recorded last July, and they also bring out the best in long-time piano colleague Bruno Hubert and the tight, ticking rhythmic engine of bassist Sean Cronin and drummer Julian MacDonough. The sidemen slither in and out of the limelight but it’s the questing Allen who makes listeners attentive, inspiring memories of Joe Henderson when he cruises effortlessly through melodic improv. The mood’s rugged on “Same Old Feeling”, reflective on “In A World Of Their Own”, and always interesting in a fine follow-up to his Fealess album.