Horace Silver: Jazz Has A Sense Of Humor

Listening to any new release by Horace Silver is a lot like hearing your favourite comedian tell a joke for the umpteenth time—you know the punch line, but you laugh anyway! Since he left Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1956, Silver has written and produced a number of classic tunes that have become jazz standards. Over the years his famous quintets have always featured dynamite trumpet/tenor tandems—Blue Mitchell /Junior Cook, Woody Shaw/Joe Henderson and the Brecker Brothers—and this album is no exception.

Jazz Has A Sense Of Humor is highlighted by the strong solo work of Ryan Kisor (trumpet) and Jimmy Greene (tenor/soprano). These two "young lions" energize Silver's nine original compositions. Their enthusiasm seems to have spilled over to their leader who, after experiencing some health problems over the past few years, appears to be back in top form. The program, which contains such impishly titled offerings as "I Love Annie's Fanny," exhibit all of Silver's trademark influences—R&B, soul and funky jazz.

Silver's best album in years.