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Donald Byrd: Fuego
by Russ Musto
The role played by Donald Byrd in the development of hard bop is often unfairly overlooked these days--as if the trumpeter's '70s forays into more commercial territory justifies expunging his earlier contributions from its history. Fuego, Byrd's third date for Blue Note, finds him at his very best, in the familiar company of altoist Jackie McLean, ...
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Solo
by David Miller
In recent recordings, Gonzalo Rubalcaba has reined in his considerable chops to pursue a more introspective direction, and Solo is a natural step in this direction. As the title hints, the recording finds Rubalcaba alone at his piano, ruminating. In this setting the pianist is more introspective than ever, frequently using silence as his means of ...
Lee Morgan: Music for Lovers
by Norman Weinstein
Although annotator Donald Elfman deftly deflects the issue in his concise booklet essay, Lee Morgan was shot to death by his lover, certainly adding an irony to this disc's title, not to mention the additional irony that the compilation includes “Since I Fell For You." That might seem a minor marketing gaff, but there are fascinating ...
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Solo
by Mark Corroto
The metamorphosis of Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba has taken a gifted player from a fiery caterwauler to a nimble, introspective musician. His early recordings were fueled by youthful enthusiasm and the encouragement of the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette. Like his musical compatriot, the French phenom Jackie Terrasson, he has talent on ...
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: Solo
by Jim Santella
This solo piano album from Gonzalo Rubalcaba finds the artist searching. With themes from Afro-Cuban culture running through his performance, he improvises soulfully and at his own pace. As one of the jazz world's most exciting pianists, he's able to sit down, take his time, and let the ideas flow gently. Each piece represents a passionate ...
Robert Glasper: Canvas
by Abe Pollack
Many young jazz musicians are no strangers to pop music. More familiar with Radiohead's Kid A and Public Enemy than Jerome Kern or Cole Porter, they have become increasingly more adventurous in an attempt to make jazz a commodity for the 21st Century. Unlike glossy pop covers from the '80s, Robert Glasper uses subtlety to explore ...
The Wood Brothers: Ways Not to Lose
by Doug Collette
As the bassist in Medeski, Martin & Wood, Chris Wood is the group's secret weapon. Until this collaboration with his brother Oliver, where the siblings rediscovered their fascination with blues and folk music after a series of dates under the proverbial radar last year, he hadn't the visibility of his peers, based on collaborations with Warren ...
Jimmy Smith: Music for Lovers
by Norman Weinstein
This Music for Lovers compilation is probably the most restrained Jimmy Smith collection ever compiled, and it allows a rarely presented side of Smith's work from 1957-1960 to be spotlit. It's also an ideal showcase for Smith as delicately tasteful accompanist. An apt comparison would be to Oscar Peterson during the '50s. All ...
Andrew Hill: Time Lines
by Jim Santella
Pianist Andrew Hill gives his audience something different. He's not concerned so much with a comfortable rhythmic groove or spot-on ensemble tone quality as he is with the spontaneity and free will of jazz. He and the members of his quintet stretch out for creative soloing and combine cohesively for an interesting affair on Time Lines. ...
Andrew Hill: Time Lines
by John Kelman
Sadly, art is often not recognized until the artist is gone. That certainly appeared like it was going to be the fate for pianist Andrew Hill. Despite releasing a spate of innovative records for Blue Note in the 1960s, he seemed perennially overshadowed by the artists he worked with, including vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and saxophonist Joe ...
