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Jul 10, 2009 Web Exclusive By Cory Frye

It was only a matter of time before The Onion‘s “Area Man”—that semi-anonymous schlub feted in the trade for often the most mundane achievements—would be awarded his own anthem. And he couldn’t find a more able chronicler than bandleader Matt Wilson, whose stick-strikes give the icon a confident metropolitan strut. His hopes and dreams are wonderfully articulated by the wonder-twin saxes of Andrew D’Angelo (alto) and Jeff Lederer (tenor); they crack open that complex id and spill its anguish down those leafy everyman streets. Now three-dimensional, “Area Man” rages and blusters but eventually slumbers, spent.

The reedsmen are the primary voices on That’s Gonna Leave a Mark. Their shivers open and drive “Shooshabuster,” the gusto-fueled romper that launches the album. On “Getting Friendly,” their cool trepidation gives way to mutual affection in the guise of two potential lovers carefully reaching romantic synchronicity. For their part, Wilson and bassist Chris Lightcap languidly give the duo room to grow. Lightcap’s filling plucks are first revealed in the spaces between muscle on Wilson chestnut “Arts & Crafts,” and he savors a scrumptious solo or two (the John Lewis standard “Two Bass Hit” among them). He rumbles with as much aggressiveness as his bandmates on “Area Man” and chases Wilson through the title track as the drummer picks fights with every inch of his kit. Lightcap’s own “Celibate Oriole” starts out awfully carefree for a number about a bird that ain’t gettin’ none, then crumbles into a righteous angst unsettled by Wilson’s continued restlessness.

With so much personality and verve popping off the foursome, it’s unfortunate that a cover of WAR’s “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” doesn’t follow a similar vein. Instead, with chortling saxes in place of nail-drop piano and a largely female chorus subbing for the original’s last-call brio, these “Friends” are sincere with their message but way too smooth for this party. But no matter. Mark: left. (www.mattwilsonjazz.com)

Author rating: 7/10