***1/2 Chris Potter

UNSPOKEN

(Concord)

On his latest CD, young saxophonist Chris Potter more than measures up against an all-star rhythm section of guitarist John Scofield, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Young lion/old lion pairings like this can be pretty bland, especially if the new player hasn't developed much of a personality yet and the veterans simply coast. But this is a one-off outfit that sounds like a working unit. In fact, Scofield turns in his best recorded performance of 1997, and DeJohnette -- who often rests on his laurels in situations like this -- is energized and inspired throughout. Clearly the old-timers are reacting to Potter's impressive command of the tenor and soprano saxophones and his way of coming at a tune from oblique angles.

Potter has a willowy tone, slender and strong with an especially vocal quality in the upper register, that serves him well on ballads like the title track, where his singing tones add a melancholic bluesy dimension to the performance. Up against DeJohnette's fearsome power and fluidity on "Seven Eleven," he darts and feigns with impressive agility, angling in from unexpected directions. But he's at his most impressive matching wits with Scofield in some fiery exchanges on "Amsterdam Blues."

-- Ed Hazell