Charles Lloyd: Mirror
By"Desolation Sound" and "Mirror" are Lloyd originals that are a bit more traditional in their constructs, but his improvisations remain richly textured, blending pieces of blues and funk into a more freely improvised sound; true, in fact, for the record as a whole. The Latin-tinged "La Liorona," reminiscent of sunsets over the desert, the Zen-like "Being and Becoming..," especially Moran's circular improvisations, and the Indian-influenced "Tagi," that starts with Lloyd reciting a spiritual poem, are all nods to his past forays into world music, yet they are undeniably and firmly rooted in the jazz idiom. The Beach Boys' "Caroline, No," with its funky beats and slow groove, is a jazzy tribute to the saxophonist's time in the pop band during the 1970s, while the two spirituals"Go Down Moses" and "The Water is Wide" (with Rogers' walking bass setting the moodhearken to his early influences, while the Thelonious Monk tunes are more in line with his progressive post-bop days of the early 1960s.
Moran, more than Keith Jarrett or the European pianists Lloyd has played with in recent decades, complements and enhances the leader's musicianship. Despite his relative youth, the pianist has integrated the musical influences of various trailblazing pianists into a unique style that continues to explore uncharted territories. Fellow Texan, Harland, is uniquely suited for this deep spiritual session, and the versatile Rogers tastefully grounds the music and stands out with his fresh ideas and angular and unexpected solos.
With Mirrors, master saxophonist Lloyd has created his most mature and most accomplished work yet. Though heavily atmospheric, it is not ambient music; rather, it is a multilayered musical opus to savor anew with each listen.
Track Listing
I Fall in Love Too Easily (For Lily); Go Down Moses; Desolation Sound; La Llorona; Caroline, No; Monk's Mood; Mirror; Ruby, My Dear; The Water is Wide; Life Every Voice and Sing; Being and Becoming, Road to Dakshineswar With Sangeeta; Tagi.
Personnel
Charles Lloyd: tenor and alto saxophones, voice; Jason Moran: piano; Reuben Rogers: bass; Eric Harland: drums.
Album information
Title: Mirror | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: ECM Records
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Instrument: Saxophone
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