Vincentz/Brown/Hart&Harrell: Is That So?

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Zakir Hussain (tabla)
Shankar Mahadevan (v)
John McLaughlin (g syn)

Label:

Abstract Logix

March/2020

Media Format:

CD

Catalogue Number:

47754

RecordDate:

2014-20

Danish saxophonist Niels Vincentz confronts the wide-open spaces of a piano-free rhythm section with a round sound and a solid grounding in tenor sax lineage. And with the experience of bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Billy Hart to lean on, and the melodic talents of Tom Harrell to brighten up any dull moments, he just about pulls it off. Brown is a terrific bass player with a fat sound and a solid sense of time, which he combines with Hart to give a masterclass of rhythmic restraint.The four Vincentz originals vary from simple riffs, and the easy-on-the-ear melody of ‘Cecilie’ to a moody ‘Haiku’. There is a so-so cover ‘Hot House’ and a jaunty thematic ‘Baby Suite’ from Cameron Brown, and lots of space for each musician to shine. The CD ends with the title track, a sax and drum improvisation responding to Brown's accomplished recital of a proverb by a Zen-master. Tom Harrell is the bonus, finding exactly the right harmonies to add lustre to Vincenz's themes and soloing confidently with poise and grace. And with such sensitive support, Harrell's every nuance is clearly audible, making an OK album something of a treat for his fans.

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