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The Humanity Quartet: Humanity
ByHope? Yes, there is always hope. Reality? That's another matter entirely. In spite of its stated purpose, the quartet (whose other members are tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Leon Parker) is unlikely on its own to engender world peace and harmony where so many other well-meaning groups and entities have failed. On the other hand, it can do no harm to espouse such aims and to set about doing whatever is in one's power to ensure their acceptance. From that point of view, Humanity (the album, that is) is quite admirable, even though it represents only a tiny drop in the ocean of tolerance and good-will needed to draw the diverse and largely inflexible peoples of the world closer together, as every drop, no matter how small, is useful.
So much for philosophy. What of the music, you may ask. And on that front there is good news indeed. The handsome program consists of ten by and large engaging originals, seven by Smith (including, of course, an aria labeled "Humanity"), the others by Frahm. Marya Lawrence adds a wordless vocal on the bustling "Samba for Evandrea." Frahm, the melodist-in-chief, is an astute navigator who swings at any tempo, and his supporting cast is hardly less so. While Frahm's burnished yet forceful tenor generally leads the charge, the eagle-eyed rhythm section cushions him at every turn, and Bernstein adds another likeable solo voice. In sum, a consistently pleasing quartet date, and if it fails to save the world, kudos for at least having made the effort.
Track Listing
A Good Thing; Song for a New Day; Irving; End of the Line; Humanity; Samba for Evandrea; A Whole New You; Tears; Jobimiola; Spring Standard.
Personnel
Sean Smith
bass, acousticJoel Frahm: tenor saxophone; Peter Bernstein: guitar; Sean Smith: bass; Leon Parker: drums, percussion (6), embodirhythm (6); Marya Lawrence: vocal (6).
Album information
Title: Humanity | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Cellar Live Records
Comments
About Sean Smith
Instrument: Bass, acoustic
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