*** TERELL STAFFORD, “Centripetal Force,” Candid

Trumpeter Terell Stafford’s second album for the London-based Candid label is a sonically rich release that on various cuts matches his extremely warm, golden sound with vibraphone, French horn and guitar. The veteran of the Bobby Watson/Victor Lewis-led band Horizon frames his glowing tones in duets (with guitarist Russell Malone on “A Child Is Born,” with pianist Stephen Scott on “My Romance”) and with larger ensembles in a way that showcases not only his sound, but his intimate melodicism as well.

The core group players--drummer Lewis, pianist Scott (also out of Horizon), bassist Ed Howard and percussionist Daniel Moreno--complement the trumpeter’s sensitive ways with expression of their own. Both Stafford originals on the album are ballads, but the trumpeter’s writing skills are also apparent on his reworkings of “Old Devil Moon,” which features saxophonist Tim Warfield, and Clifford Brown’s “Daahoud,” with saxophonist Ron Blake. Drummer Lewis’ “Addio” features Stafford at his best while recalling the unrushed confidence of Woody Shaw. “Centripetal Force” proves Stafford a master of moods, both frantic and romantic.

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