New York's first-call bass-drum pair Peter Washington and Billy Drummond find the right tempo and dynamic pulse for every tune. Check the simmering medium groove Drummond hits on "Outsider", how he propells the band through the shifting meters of the unflaggingly burning "Barebones"; hear Washington's sublime time and intonation throughout, his interplay with Bostrom's flute on "End Of The Year So Soon", how he effortlessly navigates the rhythmic permutations of "Three Armed Man".
"No nonsense" is a good way to describe the uncommon blend of pragmatism, craft and creative inspiration with which Walt Weiskopf has approached each stage of his musical career. Song For My Mother shows that he's transcended his influences; chances are he'll influence a few future jazz musicians himself.