ALBUM REVIEWS /JAZZ

RANDY WESTON “Saga” *** Verve-Gitanes Jazz

Pianist-composer Weston’s latest septet album is more a group effort than his other recent releases for Verve. The dominating rhythms, spare keyboard and West African-influenced sax work from Talib Kibwe combine to give this disc an even stronger ethnic spirit than previous, African-inspired recordings from Weston, including “The Spirits of the Ancestors” and “Marrakech in the Cool of the Evening.”

But not everything here is so roots-minded. The theme of “Loose Wig” has a decidedly Thelonious Monk feel, backed by Alex Blake’s bass strums that are equal parts North Africa and Mississippi Delta. “Tangier Bay” has a certain Caribbean flavor. “Saucer Eyes” has a swing band feel with its shuffle rhythm and three-man horn section of Kibwe, saxophonist Billy Harper and trombonist Benny Powell.

Weston’s play is typically loose and eccentric, filled with percussive as well as melodic interest. “Saga” is another fine chapter from the ongoing odyssey of Randy Weston. Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good, recommended), four stars (excellent).