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Gary Burton: Next Generation
ByIn a career spanning over forty years, vibraphonist Gary Burton has also proved himself an important mentor. And while he's helped establish artists like pianist Makoto Ozone and saxophonist Tommy Smith, the most visionary players he's found have been guitaristslike Mick Goodrick, Larry Coryell, and Pat Methenywho have gone on to varying degrees of fame but have all emerged as artists of consequence.
Burton's latest guitar discovery is Julian Lagea teenager who, at the time of '04's Generations, his first recording with Burtonwas enthusing about getting his driver's license. On that disc Lage demonstrated a frighteningly mature musical mind and plenty of promise as a writer.
When Burton retired from his longstanding tenure at Boston's Berklee School of Music last year and relocated to Florida, he decided it was time to assemble a new group, his first in seven years. And so, along with Lage, he found three young players26 year-old pianist Vadim Neselovskyi plus bassist Luques Curtis and drummer James Williams, both 21. Sometimes group chemistry evolves, sometimes it just happens, and for Burton's latest release, Next Generation, he's formed a collective that, while not as esoteric as his mid-'70s ECM group with Metheny and Goodrick, already demonstrates keen intuition.
Lage continues to grow in leaps and bounds. He's even more self-assured this time around, with a tone that ranges from the warmth of Jim Hall to something more tart, even a touch distorted. His lyricism and avoidance of chops-laden playing are uncharacteristic of the oft-times brashness of youth. On the closing track, his own bright and joyous "Clarity," he pulls off something new in Burton's careera guitar/vibes duet, with Lage shifting comfortably from lead voice to intuitive support.
While Curtis and Williams are great finds, the other dominant voiceaside from Burton's own, manifested by a characteristic ability to find the perfect phrase, the most fitting harmonic conceitis Neselovskyi. More than just a strong pianist, he's a composer who blends form and freedom in new ways. His two compositions resemble mini-suitestaut arrangements that nevertheless provide a challenging foundation for improvisation. He also has a keen ear for reharmonization; his lightly swinging arrangement of "My Romance" is completely fresh. The changes beneath the familiar melody retain the lyricism of the original but ultimately go in a completely different direction.
In recent years Burton's albums have been characterized by greater attention to accessibility. But beneath the deceptively easygoing surface lies deeper musical thought, and Burton's new group on Next Generation rivals some of his classic ensembles from years past.
Track Listing
Prelude for Vibes; My Romance; 'Ques Sez; Get Up and Go; B & G; A Dance for Most of You; Walkin' In Music; Summer Band Camp; Fuga; Clarity.
Personnel
Gary Burton
vibraphoneGary Burton: vibraphone; Julian Lage: guitar; Vadim Neselovski: piano; Luques Curtis: double-bass; James Williams: drums.
Album information
Title: Next Generation | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Concord Music Group