The presence of Marty Ehrlich on any recording more or less guarantees it will be interesting,
innovative, and somewhat enigmatic. Mr. Ehrlich likes to tend toward the modern jazz/avant-garde
side. On Line on Love he does not stray far from that esthetic but is still particularly
well-behaved, which allows for a stimulating and educational listening experience. Ehrlich is joined
by long time collaborators Michael Formanek on bass, Billy Drummond on drums, and Craig Taborn
on piano. Collectively, these musicians concentrate on eight exceptional Ehrlich compositions.
Immediately you will note a Phillip Glass tone and rhythm, quietly repetitious and soothing with
forays into passionate screams and slurs from Ehrlich’s alto saxophone. "Hymn"
receives a hypnotic, almost new age treatment that provides Ehrlich a unique platform from which to
weave a spiritual flight of fancy. Here Taborn sets the mood with his churchy piano. Formanek and
Taborn form a rhythmic juggernaut that is sensitively provoked by Billy Drummond, best illustrated
on the airy ballad "Solace." Marty Ehrlich’s tone is full and sure. He can summon any
number of facilities that color his horns’ timbre. My personal hope for the future for Mr. Ehrlich is
that he make a duet recording with Uri Caine.
For more information, see
Marty Ehrlich and
Palmetto Jazz.
~ C. Michael Bailey
