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Dave Ellis: State of Mind
ByThough more adept than some, Dave Ellis’s debut release, State of Mind provides little more than another example of the phenomena just described. Every element of State of Mind has been precisely constructed, executed, and produced. The backing provided by Mulgrew Miller (piano), Peter Washington and Christian McBride (bass), Carl Allen and Lewis Nash (drums), plus alto guest Vincent Herring, only confirms the trend. All excellent, well-proved musicians, their collective voice on this outing reveals tremendous ability, but a definitive lack of depth.
Pieces like Coltrane’s “Grand Central” and Horace Silver’s much covered “Peace” prove the adage that it’s not always what you say, but how you say it. Delving into such classic and moving compositions, Ellis fails to get inside the tunes, producing renditions both redundantly chaste and overly smoothed. Despite de rigor squawks, honks, squeals, breathy ballad readings, and some admittedly funky piano by Mulgrew, the album is frustratingly safe.
This is an album that sounds like manicured nails and the glint of candle light on the corner of a white wine glass. It will definitely go well with the chicken. Or the fish. Or the fillet mignon. And the sincerity clearly brimming beneath Ellis’s fingers reminds one of the comforts evoked by sweater-vests. To fulfill what his talent demands Ellis still has a lot of growing to do.
Track Listing
1. Not That You asked 2. Barbados 3. Soul-Leo 4. Something to Live For 5. Sunshowers 6. Grand Central 7. Don't Blame Me 8. Isabella Blue 9. Peace 10. Summertime
Personnel
Dave Ellis
saxophone, tenorDave Ellis: Tenor Saxophone; Mulgrew Miller: Piano; Peter Washington: Bass; Carl Allen: Drums; Vincent Herring: Alto Saxophone; Christian McBride: Bass; Lewis Nash: Bass.
Album information
Title: State of Mind | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Fantasy Jazz
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About Dave Ellis
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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