Air [Single]

Frank Kimbrough (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Palmetto Records
• ASIN: B0012F3OQO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,539 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. It should've happened a long time ago

2. Quickening

3. Coming On The Hudson

4. Air

5. Wig Wise

6. Three Chords

7. The Spins

8. Jackie-ing

9. Ca'lina

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long-awaited solo piano recording by Frank Kimbrough, April 13, 2008

By 

Aaron T. Martin "atmartin50" (Wilmington, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Air (Audio CD)

First off, let me say that I'm quite surprised I am reviewing this album before the peerless reviewer Jan P. Dennis, aka "longboardjazzer." Mr. Dennis, a tip of the hat to you and many thanks for all your thoughtful, spot-on reviews. This is my first review on Amazon, and there's no way that I can come close to reaching the literary heights which Mr. Dennis achieves in his reviews. However, I shall try, and I also hope to convey just how good this album is to those who've not heard it.

It was not "longboardjazzer" who first turned me on to the esteemed Frank Kimbrough... I have Ben Allison, Maria Schneider, the Jazz Composer's Collective, and a musician friend in my native Wilmington, NC to thank for that. If I had to sum up Kimbrough's first solo recording in one word, that word would probably be "ethereal" (as the album title might suggest). I'm simply blown away and profoundly moved by this recording, and more so with each successive listening.

A brief note on a few of the tracks. "It Should Have Happened a Long Time Ago" is a haunting and esoteric rendition of the Paul Motian tune from the ECM album of the same name. Kimbrough's take is as poignant as that of Motian, Lovano and Frisell's, with a floating yet foward-moving feel. "Quickening" needs no introduction to Kimbrough fans; suffice it to say that it's wonderful to hear a solo version of this bluesy, ambling (but by no means meandering) piece. I also love it how Kimbrough and the afore-mentioned Ben Allison often revisit previously-recorded tunes---it's wonderful to hear the artistic evolution. "Coming on the Hudson" has an urgency and a left-hand vamp that, to me, is slightly reminiscent of Vince Guardaldi. The title track is as light and effervescent as its name implies. Mingus' "Wig Wise" gets a whimsical, unhurried treatment which is a nice change from the more frenetic version on the classic Ellington-Mingus-Roach recording "Money Jungle" and, more recently, Jason Moran's "Facing Left." "Three Chords" is poignant and slightly Debussy-esque, show-casing Kimbrough's sonic story-telling skills. "The Spins" is a snake-like composition which was also recorded on Kimbrough's 2006 trio-date (and quickly becoming one of my favorite albums) "Play." Again, it's nice to hear a solo rendition of this tune. The Monk composition "Jackie-ing" is playful and a bit more deliberate than the Monk version (at least to my memory); I love the chime-like sound Kimbrough gets with his chords, as well as the stride-like feel to the tune. "Ca'lina," I'm guessing, is a nod to Kimbrough's (as well as this reviewer's) native North Carolina; it has a low-down, diverse (just like NC itself), rambling sort-of feel with a sufficient dose of stride thrown in for good measure.

Hint: not to detract from Amazon's sales, but if you purchase the mp3 album off Palmetto Records' website, two bonus tracks are included. Those are "Three Chords V1," which, like "Three Chords," seems to drift along dreamily while being equally moving; and "C Minor Waltz," which, to this listener, illustrates Kimbrough's mastery of the pedal...his tone has a bell-like clarity throughout this medium-slow tempo waltz.

If you've followed Frank Kimbrough's recordings as a leader (Chant, Quickening, Saturn's Child, The Willow, Lullabluebye, and Play, to name some of my favorites) you will not be disappointed---in fact, you'll love this solo outing. If you're new to Kimbrough, you're in for an aural treat...here's an artist with vision, a consummate pianist, and a human with a sense for the ethereal. This is a recording which gets better each time it's played.

5.0 out of 5 stars Among the best solo piano recordings I have heard, July 30, 2011

By 

the way I see it (Midwest) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Air (Audio CD)

At the age of 57, I am a latecomer to Frank Kimbrough, but as the saying goes, better late than never. What a joy his music is (at this point I only have this CD and one of his trio recordings)! I can understand why one reviewer, Jan Dennis "longboard jazz", rates Kimbrough at the THE very top of his list of favorite jazz pianists. I'm not there yet, but he is definitely a stunning talent. (What a joy it is to "discover" Kimbrough around the same time I am "discovering" Robert Glasper and Matthew Shipp!)

IMO, solo piano recordings are a very difficult art form, much more so than would appear at first glance. Lots have tried and most have not recorded anything that captures these ears. Bley has been among the most captivating; in fact, Bley is the ONLY jazz pianist whose solo work I consistently prefer over his ensemble recordings. Perhaps it is no surprise that Kimbrough excells as well, because Bley's influence is obvious, as Kimbrough himself acknowledges. Yet at the same time, Frank has his own totally unique style and sound. All those hours playing solo before unappreciative audiences and being underpaid at the same time have paid off big time!

This is a wonderful CD, and I am much more inclined to listen to Kimbrough play unaccompanied than someone such as Mehldau (whom I adore in trio formats.) I intend to gradually purchase everything Kimbrough has recorded, and I hope he will have the opportunity to put out more solo CDs. He is an amazing talent, and one of the few who can truly, truly excel in both an ensemble and solo format.

On an existential note, it is recordings like these that quite literally help me to hang in there, and for that, I owe Frank as well as a number of other musicians whose music serves as a healing balm a deep bow.

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLANTE., July 6, 2010

By 

julio samper (Manizales, Colombia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Air (Audio CD)

Casualmente, al saber que en mi ciudad, Manizales, Colombia, se íba a llevar a cabo una vez más el campamento de Jazz que desde hace 3 años patrocina el Colombo Americano, y a la par se celebraría el Primer festival internacional de jazz universitaro, donde participarían grupos provenientes de las escuelas de Cincinatti, Baltimore, Manizales, y de Nueva York, representado por un grupo del Julliard, se invitaba también a un taller de improvisación dictado por el pianista Frank Kimbrough. Como no conocía al pianista, solicité a través de Amazon 2 cd, uno de ellos AIR y oh! sorpresa, que delicia de interpretación, había pulcritud, entrega, energía en cada uno de sus temas, con composiciones propias y de grandes como Ellington, Monk y Motian, Kimbrough nos conduce de lo etéreo a lo terrenal, con una facilidad propia de los Maestros, y, con un sonido cuidadosamente controlado por el sentimiento.