By: Shannon J. Effinger
Rating: 7/11

The jazz group GSP looks to the past and draws inspiration from an array of classic songs. The pace of “Anthropology (2009),” a cover of the great Charlie Parker tune, starts off slow and a little disjointed at first. But gradually, it captures the listener's attention. Nick Lyon’s improvising on alto sax is very intriguing, but he cuts it off rather abruptly and jumps back to the melody way too soon. However, it leaves plenty of room for Galen Pittman’s Fender Rhodes piano, which permeates the sound of the track from then on. “Half Nelson (2008)” offers a new take on the Miles Davis classic. In lieu of Miles’s signature punctuated trumpet sound, GSP opts for Pittman’s Rhodes once again at the helm of the piece. What will stand out for the listener is the selections themselves. These songs, created over fifty years ago, were considered groundbreaking in their time and GSP explores that innovation further while still honing their voice.