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Mike Melito: In the Tradition
ByWell, he's done it again, since the same things can be said about In the Tradition, one of the best CDs to hit my mailbox all year. The music is bright, spirited and carefully chosen: four lesser-known tunes by Sonny Clark, Barry Harris, Hoagy Carmichael, Hank Mobley, Luis Eca, and Tadd Dameron, two classics (eloquent takes on Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark," and Luis Eca's "The Dolphin"), and three fine originals. These include bassist Neal Miner's catchy, witty "Shades of Blue," written over the changes to "How Deep is the Ocean"; pianist Paul Hofmann's rolling title track; and trumpeter John Swana's playful "Le Barron," based on "Sweet Georgia Brown," where the group somehow manages a breakneck pace and a sense of relaxation at the same time.
Melito has assembled a first-class quintet where each player knows how to make a strong, personal statement without having to fill up all the available space. As he says, "you don't have to play a lot to say a lot." The band demonstrates this throughout, and Melito mixes up instrumental combinations, leads, and solos to keep things consistently interesting. In the Tradition is precisely that: excellent players addressing timeless, melodic material and swinging it like mad. This is Melito's fourth CD as leader, and his best yet; it's the kind of CD that justifies the "repeat" button on your stereo.
Track Listing
Junka; Shades of Blue; The Dolphin; Bish Bash Bosh; Le Barron; Skylark; Hankerin; In the Tradition; Good Bait.
Personnel
Mike Melito
drumsMike Melito: drums; Grant Stewart: tenor sax; John Swana: trumpet; Paul Hofmann: piano; Neal Miner: bass; Bob Sneider: guitar.
Album information
Title: In the Tradition | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Mike Melito Music