There are recordings that dazzle you from the first few bars—or conversely, put you off—with their audacity. Then there are the agreeably conventional releases that, over time, yield their secrets by degree. Put Lucas Pino’s Covers (Outside In Music, 2023) in the latter category. Notwithstanding some evident drollery, the title proudly advertises Pino’s rejection of conceptual ambition. As advertised, this is an album of covers; a common practice in jazz for decades. Yet that normcore nucleus might be a bug, not a feature, with the nothing-to-prove vibe opening a wide field for solo explorations and spirited ensemble interplay.

It’s a blowing session, in other words, but raised to a more exalted level by the casual brilliance of the players. After Toninho Horta’s major-minor “Moonstone” gets the 39-minute session off to an oddly subdued start, the band blazes through Fred Hersch’s “Phantom of the Bopera” with a fast-fingered solo from guitarist Alex Goodman and the leader devouring the changes. The discography lists no covers of Duke Pearson’s “New Girl,” but Pino takes it at a bright, mid-bounce, gently swung by drummer Allan Mednard, a Saturday afternoon drive in a convertible on a beachfront road. A similar vibe elevates Charlie Parker’s “Relaxin’ At Camarillo,” Pino’s solo recalling the offhand urbanity of Dexter Gordon.

It’s not all fun and games. Peter Schlamb’s “REL” is almost metal-jazz with a shadowy, low-register theme over a plodding, open hi-hat 4/4. Glenn Zaleski, a frequent collaborator of Pino’s, recorded it on “My Ideal” (Sunnyside, 2015), one of two cuts that were not standards. Bassist Rick Rosato’s “Waltz for MD” was the other. With a bluesy melody somewhat reminiscent of “Goodbye Porkpie Hat”, it’s a feature for the composer’s poignant solo over Goodman’s soft chords. And the leader? He doesn’t make an appearance until halfway into the song, but his disregard for the easy flex is the point. 

“Right now, I don’t feel the need to be so much ‘in control’ of what is happening within the music,” he said in publicity materials for the release. ”I am more interested in allowing the music to happen and embracing the fact that perfect is the enemy of good.” He needn’t have worried. Covers is very good indeed. 

Green Thumb is now available on Outside in Music. It can be purchased on Bandcamp.

Tracklist: 1. Moonstone; 2. Phantom of the Bopera; 3. Relaxin’ At The Camarillo (sic); 4. Triptych; 5. New Girl; 6. REL; 7. Amnesia; 7. Waltz For MD. 

Personnel: Lucas Pino (tenor saxophone), Alex Goodman (guitar), Rick Rosato (bass), Allan Mednard (drums).