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Bill Connors: Return
ByWhile Connors is clearly in his own zone on the electric guitar, hints of Corea then and now can be heard on nearly every song, from the broken-time patterns of the piano and bass to the Weckl-esque drum play of Kim Plainfield. All songs are Connors originals except "Mr. Cool," "On the Edge" and "Mind Over Matter," which were penned by pianist Bill O'Connell; John Coltrane's "Brasilia"; and Plainfield's "McMinor."
It would be of little surprise if some listeners never get to the last seven tracks on the album. The first three are so good that it's tempting to just play them over and over. "On the Edge" is the one that has that Metheny/Corea feel to it, followed by the sizzling "Mr. Cool'" and "McMinor.'" The good news is if you lapse and forget to hit the back button in time, you'll be just as easily captivated by the quasi-frantic pace of "Mind Over Matter," which features Connors in a lead that is clearly his own but may bring to mind such jazz guitar legends as Wes Montgomery, Lee Ritenour and, of course, Metheny. Meanwhile, his sidemen are kicking it in a variety of gears, exploring their own paths while maintaining focus on the leaderclearly the way jazz was meant to be played. If you don't get past track four, it's understandable.
However, if you're disciplined enough to take your hand off the repeat button, more musical pleasures await you. There's the bluesy "Minor Matters,'" the broken-time "Try Tone Today" (an apparent tribute to "Doc Tone" Kenny Kirkland), the up-tempo "Terrabill Blues," the Corea-influenced "Nobody Yet To," "It Be FM," and the bossa nova closer, "Brasilia." In short, every song on this album deserves attention; they're all that good. The title, Return, is a subtle, if not intentional, reference to the band Connors played with in the '70s: Return to Forever. That group's influences are all over the place. Combined with Connors' personal touch, as well as those of his sidemen, it's a can't-miss combination.
Track Listing
On the Edge; Mr. Cool; McMinor; Mind Over Matter; Minor Matters; Try Tone Today; Terrabill Blues; Nobody Yet To; It Be FM; Brasilia
Personnel
Bill Connors
guitarBill Connors (guitar), Bill O'Connell (piano), Lincoln Goines (bass), Kim Plainfield (drums), Myra Casales (percussion)
Album information
Title: Return | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Tone Center
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Bill Connors
CD/LP/Track Review
Woodrow Wilkins
Michael Bloom Media Relations
Tone Center
United States
Return