On The Iconoclast, bassist Barry Stephenson follows up his fine 2015 album, Basic Truths, and again teams up brilliantly with drummer Jamison Ross. They reign as the sole members of the rhythm section of this jazz quartet that includes two reedmen, Ricardo Pascal and Patrick Bartley. The somewhat unusual instrumentation of the group, minus a keyboard or guitar, perfectly suits these talented musicians and offers the freedom that they enjoy and require to tackle Stephenson’s challenging compositions.

Interestingly, yet not perhaps importantly, many of the tunes musically sound like their titles such as the edgy opener, “Fitz Figgity Phoom Phoom,” a progressive adventure that incorporates an ear-opening variety of elements. Holding onto that notion, “Evening Breezy (One in the Air)” softly floats with the pleasurable combo of Pascal’s tenor and Bartley’s alto. The latter also blows clarinet and hulusi (a gourd and bamboo flute) on the release.

Folks, particularly those from New Orleans. should dig “Jelly,” a funky, danceable number with the backbeat laid down by Ross and some honkin’ from the saxophonists. Stephenson keeps the melody in mind on his solo while adding a ton of rhythm.

The bassist takes off setting the pace on “The Baron, a Rebel, And a Priest,” that begins with a classic modern jazz flair before going out. The band has some fun on the closer, “Say “Bruh!” moving the rhythm from a Latin tinge to full-on swing. It’s delivered in an almost traditional style that again displays these musicians’ knowledge of jazz music’s roots. On The Iconoclast, Barry Stephenson and friends rely on the historic foundations of jazz and without hesitation forwards the motion.