Max Huberdeau

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Atley King: Unconditional

by Jack Bowers
February 9, 2024

Unconditional is the debut recording as leader by Atley King who is described in a press release as “Canada's leading young jazz vibraphonist." While that portrayal may or may not be true--not to mention gratuitous--King is very good, as are the members of his admirable quintet. Besides playing splendidly, King wrote the first eight of the album's nine selections, closing with John Coltrane's soulful “Naima." His compositions are fine, albeit more or less generic--that is to say, ...