Derek Douget: Perpetual Motion (Lockout Records)

Saxophonist Derek Douget gets the ball of Perpetual Motion whirling by opening up with a burner that derives a ton of momentum from drummer Adonis Rhodes. Oh, for a couple of bars of the Douget original, “G.O.A.,” one of seven from the saxophonist’s pen, all is innocent enough but as soon as the leader soars into his solo, the stage is set. Nicholas Payton picks up on the dervish attitude that is then continued by the finger-flying of pianist Jonathan Lefcoski. The rhythmically and melodically satiated tune stands in marked contrast to the next number, “Sir Remy,” a more contemplative cut that features just a trio with Douget on soprano saxophone, Roland Guerin on bass and Jason Marsalis on drums. Douget might remain best known for his longtime association with pianist Ellis Marsalis, performing with him at his longstanding gig at Snug Harbor. Douget calls in his mentor and former teacher to perform the pianist’s “Friendship,” a lovely, melodic ballad that is so typically Marsalis. Douget’s tone and texture on this tune as well as the dreamy “Finally” changes radically from warm and round to edgy and sharp when he is the focus of the trio during a short take on Tadd Dameron’s “Hot House” as well as amongst the quartet on the explorative “Madness.” Lefcoski displays a tremendous range of dynamics on the free-minded composition before handing over control to Douget by way of a fadeout. The saxophonist takes the gentle handoff and carries it with zeal to be passed on to the African-toned, uprising drums of Jason Marsalis before it reaches a final resolve. Guerin puts a touch of funk into “Session Blues” giving the closer a more light-hearted attitude despite its intricacies and demands. Often heard in more straight-ahead settings, Derek Douget reveals his adventurous nature as a musician, composer and leader on this swashbuckling debut.