Enjoy The Moment begins with The Nest, a boogaloo which is “meant to capture the funkiness and vibe of Harlem,” says composer/organist Jared Gold. It’s a great way to get things cookin’, with sprightly double-time riffing from guitarist Randy Napoleon and greasy blues from Gold. The catchy title track was penned by Napoleon. “The melody came to me walking down Broadway with some friends. It's a song about appreciating friendship,” he says. But what of the deceptive cadence leading the song to end in a minor key? “That's the recognition that everything is transient,” explains Napoleon.

About the Musicians: Jared Gold, 21, has studied with Harold Mayburn and Rufus Reid. He performs with Bill Goodwin’s trio and with tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen. He has also played with Javon Jackson, Tony Reedus and John Swana.

Randy Napoleon, 24, spent a year on the road with pianist Benny Green. While playing with the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, he performed with Frank Foster, Shirley Horn, Frank Wess, and Snooky Young. He has also worked with bandleaders Grady Tate, Rodney Whitaker, and Marcus Printup.

Quincy Davis, 24, is among New York’s busiest young drummers. He is currently a member of Tom Harrell’s quintet. Quincy has performed with Benny Green, Eric Reed, Cyrus Chestnut, and others.

– Jeff Libman,
(AllAboutJazz.com Critic)

The ballad Never Let Me Go follows. Napoleon graces the melody with his full, round tone, sustaining each phrase ending with the honeyed glaze of subtle vibrato. The intensity heightens when drummer Quincy Davis picks up his sticks for Gold’s solo, and reaches its height when Napoleon brings back the melody its final time. Then the tension is released, Davis returning to his brushes and putting the ballad to sleep with careful hands.

Gold’s next tune is called This End Up, and Napoleon knows why: “It’s really tricky. You have to handle it with care, or there will be damage done!” Rapidly changing chords, rhythmic intrigue and some slick left hand bass figures give Gold away as a mature compositional talent.

To Have, To Lose is Napoleon’s, a moody modal tune that works beautifully for organ trio. Davis is the star here, his cymbals alive with mystery and fire. The tasteful rendition of I Wish I Knew is delivered with elegance and maturity unexpected from most young musicians.

In Taking a Chance On Love, Napoleon and Gold trade eights with Davis, whose energy fuels this burner. Gold’s arrangement of the Beatles’ In My Life is a relaxed, soulful conclusion for the record.