Brian Landrus is a new-ish voice on the baritone. He has one album out on Cadence Jazz. The new one Traverse is on his own BlueLand Records (2011A). It's a quartet date with the potent lineup of Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Michael Cain, piano, and the always swinging Billy Hart on the drums.
It's a contemporary date with good blowing vehicles devised by Landrus himself or in collaboration with Michale Cain. The "Body and Soul" perennial rounds out the set. There's a chance for Cain to show what he has been up to as well as some extended improv time for Landrus on the baritone and bass clarinet. He shows a winning way with a ballad on "Lone," "Soundwave" "Soul and Body" and of course "Body and Soul" and kicks up a little dust on the other numbers.
It's an all-around good outing for everyone concerned. Landrus most definitely has a sound and an onslaught of notes to go with it. Check it out.
