RALPH TOWNER”Lost and Found”ECM* * * 1/2Guitarist...

RALPH TOWNER

“Lost and Found”

ECM

* * * 1/2

Guitarist Ralph Towner, both with the pastoral chamber-jazz band Oregon and in a dozen or so albums from the ECM label issued since the early ‘70s, has established a reputation as a closely personal, yet understated player with an almost pianistic sense of harmonics. His last few albums, notably 1991’s “Open Letter,” seemed designed to change that rap, with heavier moods and percussion, a departure from his earlier, quiet-identity work.

As the title suggests, “Lost and Found” signals a return to a more thoughtful approach. It’s a warmly modest, inventive statement on the order of the guitarist’s 1974 quartet date “Solstice” (which, like the current release, included drummer Jon Christensen). But Towner has brought something back from his experiments with a more assertive sound, and there’s a muscularity here that belies his Aquarian-age reputation. Still, that strength is balanced with his characteristic wit and sensitivity.

Much of the strength here is generated by saxophonist Denny Goodhew and bassist Marc Johnson. Both play with firm resolve and a bit of swagger, in contrast to Towner’s sweet, sometimes questioning lines. The 15 short tunes flow together in a suite of miniature tone poems, with moods ranging from majestic to blue. Towner’s usual harmonic depth is present, but he also seems more willing to take a single line and follow it, without benefit of chordal accompaniment. “Lost and Found” is the perfect recording for the end of the day, when its mood and temper entertain reflection.

*

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