All About Jazz

Home » Articles » Album Review

133

Michael Melito Quartet: 'Bout Time!

Dr. Judith Schlesinger By

Sign in to view read count
Michael Melito Quartet: 'Bout Time!
There's a ton of splendid music coming out of Rochester, New York, probably because the first-rate Eastman School of Music is located there. Although few Noo Yawkers would admit it, The Big Apple doesn't have the state monopoly on stellar jazz, and here's another northern star to prove it. Mike Melito is a strong, straight-ahead drummer who's produced a classy, swinging CD with some of his local colleagues, all with impeccable credentials. It's a melodic session of fresh material, full of head-nodders and finger-poppers. "'Bout Time" opens with the friendly Freddie Hubbard tune, "Happy Times," then proceeds to provide more of them.



I really liked Grant Stewart's tenor playing, with its rich tone and blessed lack of squawking (listen to him on "My Ideal" for some ideal ballad playing). Paul Hofmann's piano is fluid, versatile, and reliably interesting, and bassist Paul Gill, who's worked with Turrentine and Golson, Hendricks and Harrell, has great time and intonation. Joe Magnarelli brings his fine flugelhorn to the closer, Cedar Walton's "Bolivia," recorded three years earlier and a highlight here. All told, a highly enjoyable collecftion of the real deal: no fuss, no phonies, no grandstanding from the leader at the expense of the group. Very nice stuff.

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 alternate take, Bolivia

Personnel

Michael Melito (drums), Paul Hofmann (piano), Paul Gill (bass), Grant Stewart (tenor sax), Joe Magnarelli (flugelhorn)

Album information

Title: 'Bout Time! | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: MHR Records

Post a comment about this album

Mike Melito
About Mike Melito
Articles | Tour | Music | Photos | Related | Search | SHOP

Tags

Michael Melito Quartet CD/LP/Track Review Mike Melito Dr. Judith Schlesinger MHR Records United States 'Bout Time!

Shop Amazon

More

Read Hi-Fly
Hi-Fly
Howard University Jazz Ensemble
Read And Then It Rained
And Then It Rained
The Michael O'Neill Quartet
Read You're It!
You're It!
The Mike Melito / Dino Losito Quartet
Read The Final Note - Painters Mill Music Fair, Owings Mills, MD 10-17-71
The Final Note - Painters Mill Music Fair, Owings Mills, MD 10-17-71
Gregg Allman
Read URBAN(E)
URBAN(E)
Mike Fahie Jazz Orchestra
Read The Deceptive 4—Live
The Deceptive 4—Live
Tim Berne
Read Øjeblikke Vi Husker
Øjeblikke Vi Husker
Hvalfugl
Read All Figured Out
All Figured Out
Derek Brown and The Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra

All About Jazz needs your support

Donate
All About Jazz & Jazz Near You were built to promote jazz music: both recorded and live events. We rely primarily on venues, festivals and musicians to promote their events through our platform. With club closures, shelter in place and an uncertain future, we've pivoted our platform to collect, promote and broadcast livestream concerts to support our jazz musician friends. This is a significant but neccesary effort that will help musicians now, and in the future. You can help offset the cost of this essential undertaking by making a donation today. In return, we'll deliver an ad-free experience (which includes hiding the bottom right video ad). Thank you.

Get more of a good thing

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories and includes your local jazz events calendar.