Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michael Melito Quartet: 'Bout Time!

104

Michael Melito Quartet: 'Bout Time!

By

View read count
Michael Melito Quartet: 'Bout Time!
With advanced technology to the point that just about anyone can put together and sell their own CD (with little regard as to whether or not the music is worthy of dissemination or not, mind you), so much of the self-produced jazz which reaches this reviewer's doorstep is half-baked and not worth much more than a few spins. In a dichotomous turn to the other direction, drummer Michael Melito's second and most recent project is of such a high caliber in both execution and packaging that it gives the major label releases a run for their money. This is not to say that Melito's music makes any commercial concessions, just that its intelligent mainstream outlook is well recorded and tastefully presented.

With trumpeter Joe Magnarelli (on one cut) and tenor saxophonist Grant Stewart on hand, the hard bop performances as led by Melito definitely fall in the same category as the fare cultivated on the Criss Cross Jazz label. Stewart is so unduly neglected that it's a crime, but he's in great form here with a swagger that recalls earlier tenor icons such as Dexter Gordon (spin 'Nobody Else But Me' for proof). As for pianist Paul Hoffman and bassist Paul Gill, the two mesh seamlessly with Melito, who obviously has given much thought to the final recorded sound of his drum kit.

Among the ten tracks, which clock in at close to an hour, are a few originals by Melito, Hoffman, and Magnarelli. Freddie Hubbard's 'Happy Times' and Tina Brooks' 'Minor Move' are sagaciously chosen pleasures that reveal Melito's tastes in obscure chestnuts. Furthermore, choosing to lead in the service of the music, the drummer does not engage in flashy solos and bombast. As such, nothing overly dramatic occurs, but each musician speaks with his or her own voice and the swinging 'lan displayed by all will not doubt offer a healthy share of delights for those of the hard bop persuasion.

Track Listing

Happy Times; Nobody Else But Me; Minor Move; My Ideal; Jack, Be Nimble; The Way I Feel; Bella Carolina; The Closer; The Closer (alt. Take); Bolivia*

Personnel

Michael Melito - Drums; Paul Hofmann - Piano; Paul Gill - Bass; Grant Stewart - Tenor Saxophone; Joe Magnarelli* - Flugelhorn

Album information

Title: 'Bout Time! | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: MHR Records

Tags

Comments


PREVIOUS / NEXT




Support All About Jazz

Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Eternal Moments
Yoko Yates
From "The Hellhole"
Marshall Crenshaw
Tramonto
John Taylor

Popular

Old Home/New Home
The Brian Martin Big Band
My Ideal
Sam Dillon
Ecliptic
Shifa شفاء - Rachel Musson, Pat Thomas, Mark Sanders
Lado B Brazilian Project 2
Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruíz

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.