Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tom Harrell: Prana Dance
Tom Harrell: Prana Dance
As he has in the past, Harrell layers his eight plain-spoken compositions with spiritual undertones, none of which detracts from his improvisational purpose or that of his comrades in his quintet. Harrell has always been an uncompromising melodicist, which is readily apparent on each of his invigorating themes, and his solos are similarly transparent, as are those of pianist Danny Grissett and saxophonist Wayne Escoffery. That's not to say they are insubstantial or lack staying power; to the contrary, they stand up quite well on repeated listening. Harrell, especially, shapes his solos with utmost care, focusing his assiduous gaze on a clear destination that he invariably reaches after a perceptive and pleasurable journey. Along the way, not a note is squandered.
Harrell's supporting cast is first-rate. Grissett and Escoffery are compatible albeit a tad more bluesy than the leader, which makes for a gratifying contrast in styles. Bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Johnathan Blake are rock-solid if not especially animated, which does nothing to detract from the group's unfaltering coherence. In fact, they play their back-up roles to perfection.
If there is a downside, it lies mainly in the areas of tempo and sameness. Engaging as Harrell's tunes can be, they amble along at a generally symmetrical pace (save for the even-tempered "Sea Serpent," the album's lone quasi-ballad, which quickens the tempo in midstream). While each track is admirable on its own, there is not a wide degree of separation between them, nor can they be called hot and steamy. Harrell has a definite plan in mind, and it eschews stratospheric grandstanding or extravagant window dressing. Prana Dance is for those who prefer to listen as well as hear.
FOLLOW Jack Bowers
and get notified whenever Jack has a new article published.
A former newspaper writer / editor who has been writing about jazz for more than forty years.
Track Listing
Marching; Prana; Sequenza; Maharaja; The Call; Ride; The Sea Serpent; In the Infinite.
Personnel
Tom Harrell
trumpetTom Harrell: trumpet, flugelhorn; Wayne Escoffery: soprano and tenor saxophones; Danny Grissett: piano, Fender Rhodes; Ugonna Okegwo: bass; Johnathan Blake: drums.
Album information
Title: Prana Dance | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: HighNote Records
About Tom Harrell
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
