Customer Reviews

In the Now

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Cindy can out and out play. She swings and she can embellish. This recording succeeds because it incorporates so many good elements. It is reminiscent of Miles' "Filles De Killimanjaro" in certain ways. The pieces are loose, rhythmic and all have a dark beauty. Many of the pieces have a sense of pacing. There is grace and power.

Her drumming is superb and would make Tony Williams smile with her creativity on these pieces. Ron Carter is on bass, with his unique style, power and subtleties.

Ravi Coltrane is an excellent choice for this type of music. He never overplays, he swings, grooves, plays soulfully with his own unique style and tone. He shines on every piece. His playing on "King Among Men" is striking. His soprano work on "Passage" is stunning. He's influenced by his father in tone, but has a Joe Henderson/Wayne Shorter-like economy with his notes.

Cindy is wonderful throughout. She plays with a power that brings Tony Williams to mind. That is not to say that she sounds just like Tony, but more, is as forceful and is as creative with that forcefulness. Her cymbal work also shines on these pieces. She has a unique voice on the drums. More people should become aware of Cindy Blackman.

Jacky Terrasson is outstanding. I was familiar with his outstanding acoustic work, but here on electric piano he shows us a different side of him. He's a natural. He's at home with the pieces. There's a warmth to his playing, he never over intelectualizes. He plays with sensitivity, swing and feeling. He has big ears and gives each piece exactly what it needs. On "Passage" he plays both electric and acoustic and he segues seamlessly from one another "Passage" is an example of this.

Ron Carter is essential in this enviromnent. He's so adept, ever present, bringing a certain pulse to every piece as he did back in that classic quintet. He doesn't have to play alot of notes, yet his presence resonates throughout.

The pieces here are all great vehicles for improvisation and they do. For all of you who enjoyed Miles' classic quintet, well here's a recording that while featuring a saxophonist, a excellent one at that, will please you.

I find myself listening to this one over and

Good uptempo mainstream jazz by many of the current generation stars. Ravi Coltrane (sax) is the son of two legends-John Coltrane and his wife Alice. While obviously not the same creative force, he follows well in his dad's footsteps. Pianist Jacky Terrasson is not his usual ultra-mellow self, and the somewhat older Ron Carter on accoustic bass. Basically, the all-stars of the third generation of this type of jazz. Recommended! (But get plenty of Miles, Bird, Trane, etc. first)