Kenny Garrett: Beyond the Wall

Inspired by his long-time fascination with the culture, music and spirituality of China, Garrett has captured a unique musical vision that stimulates thoughts of the Far East while simultaneously paying homage to John Coltrane and his classic quartet with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. Veterans Bobby Hutcherson (vibes) and Coltrane contemporary Pharoah Sanders (tenor sax) lend their strength and wisdom to this outing and bring with them a spiritual vibe that raises the creativity level to incomparable heights.

The title cut is a modal powerhouse that cuts right to the bone. After the brief, sequentially patterned theme, pianist Mulgrew Miller unleashes an aggressive, knock-down, Tyneresque solo that is backed up by the one-two punch rhythm duo of bassist Robert Hurst III and drummer Brian Blade. Indeed, the heavy-handed spirit of McCoy Tyner is summoned by Miller throughout the entire recording. Garrett and Sanders also take turns fanning the flames of this eight-minute scorcher.

"Qing Wen" is a simple yet extremely lyrical tune that features wordless vocalizing (a prominent timbre throughout much of the recording) and an extended solo by Garrett that captures the kind of energy often unleashed in live performances but missing from his studio dates. "Realization (Marching Toward the Light) opens with a sampled Tibetan Monk chant that creates a drone effect underneath the subtle theme of two short four-note phrases. Hutcherson's vibes and Hurst's bowed bass add to the mysteriousness of the sound.

Hutcherson gets an opportunity to stretch out on the extended "Now, which recalls the classic recordings the vibraphonist put out during the 1960s. The ending track, "May Peace Be Upon Them, is a prayer-like evocation that sends Garrett off on a highly emotional, simply breathtaking exploration. Beyond the Wall is a wonderful testament to future directions in jazz.