Interpreting a selection of significant last-century composer Anton Webern’s works, John O’Gallagher is a California-born, but long-time New York-based saxophonist, who’s previously written a book titled Twelve Tone Improvisation. But this is a recording that sounds more like early 21st century New York jazz than early 20th century Viennese avant garde. O’Gallagher asks the question in the sleevenotes: “What would Webern’s music sound like if he were a jazz musician in New York City today?” It’s a Back to the Future in reverse and the concept doesn’t have to be taken seriously as this is an album that works well on its own terms. Webern’s mostly solo piano and vocal works are more background inspiration than anything else although the themes are certainly there in O’Gallagher’s versions. What the alto saxophonist does is establish a relation between the ‘serialist’ soundworld and the present day experimental post-M-Base jazz musicians’ scene. For those who dig the kind of unyielding, angular avant-funk grooves coming out of New York (occasionally with singer Margret Grebowicz’ wordless art-song vocals) this is up there, although Hammond organist Russ Lossing breaks it up every now and then with hints of 1970s Miles’ electric-funk ambience.