As full-bodied and comforting as home-baked apple pie" is one apt description of Houston Person's saxophone sound.  It has also been compared to "mom's meatloaf." Inasmuch as these similes attempt to convey the comforting, warm-hearted and effortlessly accomplished nature of the South Carolina-born tenorman's art, they are spot-on, but it must be remembered that Person's roots are in organ-centered R&B. This brings a bluesy integrity resulting from his immersion in music forever connected with Gene Ammons, Stanley Turrentine et al., to which Person has added a burnished sophistication, an assured elegance and poise that have rendered his recent HighNote discography an object lesson in unfussy, no-gimmicks music-making. In addition to a velvety, intimate ballad technique (explained by his close attention to the meaning of his songs' lyrics), Person also possesses an ability to imbue up-tempo material with an irresistible wailing intensity, so his crowd-pleasing bluesy numbers (where Person gets the chance to show off his considerable chops) provide welcome variety to this judiciously balanced set.

HOUSTON PERSON, tenor saxophone
WITH: John di Martino, piano; Chuck Redd, vibes • Ray Drummond, bass; Lewis Nash, drums

TRACKS: Someday You'll Be Sorry • All My Tomorrows • Stolen Sweets • It's All in the Game • Nice ‘n’ Easy • If It's the Last Thing I Do • Ill Wind • Let's Fall in Love • Sweet Life • Bluesology

 Someday You'll Be Sorry

 Stolen Sweets

 Let's Fall in Love

 Bluesology