Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Harris/Moran/Osby/Shim: New Directions

Harris/Moran/Osby/Shim: New Directions

By C. Andrew Hovan
February 1, 2000
View read count

For the second time since Blue Note Records was revived in 1985, the label has gathered a resourceful group of jazz lions to present an up-to-the-minute glimpse of the hard bop legacy. And if New Directions proves to be as critical in launching jazz careers as it's precursor was, recalling that Out of the Blue introduced the names of Kenny Garrett, Ralph Peterson, and Rob Hurst, then we are likely to be hearing more from the six gentlemen that make up this ensemble.

Initiated last year by the head of Japan's Toshiba-EMI, of which Blue Note belongs, New Directions' roster is made up of recent signees who got together to help celebrate the label's 60th anniversary. Following a tour last winter, the sextet entered the Van Gelder studios to cut the disc at hand, which is composed primarily of covers of vintage Blue Note tunes. This was to be no mere retread of familiar themes however, as saxophonists Greg Osby and Mark Shim, pianist Jason Moran, and vibraphonist Stefon Harris shared the duties in giving each classic selection a completely updated and extensive make-over.

With a focus on the funky boogaloo type of lines popular during the mid-60's, the sagacious mix of tunes includes "The Sidewinder," "Recorda Me," "Tom Thumb," and "No Room For Squares." Particularly valuable in terms of artistic development are a darker and more cacophonous take on "Song For My Father," and the jagged and burning solos on "Big Bertha," a Duke Pearson melody that ends up sounding more like an Andrew Hill invention in the sextet's hands. A duo performance of Sam Rivers' "Beatrice" from Moran and Harris is equally outstanding.

All of the musicians featured on New Directions, including drummer Nasheet Waits and bassist Tarus Mateen, are highly developed players in their own right, and the collective temper they generate as a team is nothing short of invigorating.

Personnel

Stefon Harris

vibraphone

Album information

Title: New Directions | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Blue Note

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Ron Carter: Brazilian Charm
< Previous

Ipsis Quest
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.