“THE SIXTH SENSE.” Don Pullen Quintet. Black...

“THE SIXTH SENSE.” Don Pullen Quintet. Black Saint BSR 0088. Pullen balances mainstream and experimental jazz elements as adroitly as anyone but the pianist’s strong new quintet shines most brightly when operating in a more traditional vein on its debut album. Current Art Blakey saxophonist Donald Harrison is a bit out of his league on two long, experimental pieces that never really jell but acquits himself admirably on “Gratitude,” a gospel-rooted duet with Pullen. Trumpeter Olu Dara excels on the criminally brief New Orleans parade march “All Is Well” while Pullen uses the Blue Note classicism of the title track as a springboard for a lengthy, often atonal solo that nevertheless remains an organic extension of the original melody. 3 1/2 stars.