Customer Reviews

Passage of Time

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Passage of Time is a fine example of a strong production from a leading Jazz quartet. Led by the highly regarded Joshua Redman with his smooth and beguiling sound the quartet sounds well-balanced and with some strong compositions this is a consistently strong release which is eminently listenable from beginning to end.

Where Redman pitches himself amongst the multiplicity of today's leading Sax players is somewhere towards the sound and sensibility of John Coltrane but without the tendency for extremes of experimentation. While this may leave him open to accusations of lack of originality this is unwarranted as Redman is as creative as anybody and manages to be so without having to edge towards uncomfortable extremes. The quality of the music stands out in addition to the overall quality of the Quartet and the warmth of tone. Redman exhibits excellent musical judgement throughout in terms of tone, pace and timing. The quality of recording and sound production are both excellent and this disc sounds particularly good on a serious hi-fi.

I was fortunate enough to see this quartet playing (last night, actually at the Royal Festival Hall) a major date. At the beginning of the concert Redman announced that they were going to play one piece of music only - and this is it "The Passage of Time". For the next two hours we were treated to a wonderful rendition of this entire suite which is what is recorded on this CD. Clearly this indicates that this music is a key part of the Quartets work, a point to bear in mind when selecting between Redman discs.

All in all then a strong and eminently enjoyable release and one which I recommend highly.

I had the pleasure of seeing Joshua Redman at the Village Vanguard last year. While his studio performances seem a little more laid back and introspective than his electrifying stage show, this cd still delivers fantastic music. Redman is backed on this date by the same superb trio that backed him on last year's "Beyond": the hard charging Gregory Hutchinson on drums, Reuben Rogers on bass, and Aaron Goldberg on piano. The cd opens with a Redman solo that is very similar to the opening cadenza of "Beyond"'s "Last Rites of Rock and Roll.". This is the same vamp he opened his first set at the Vanguard with, and is at times quite dramatic. Overall this cd is another step in Redman's positive evolution as an individual musician. Any chance one has to see Redman as he tours to support his new material should be taken, he and his rock solid backing trio will not dissapoint.

You must listen to this CD in its entirety. You won't be able to get into this CD if you listen to the tracks in isolation. Passage of Time is a complete composition in of itself. So do yourself a favor and put aside the time to really listen to this CD. This CD is quite different from everything else Redman has released. Get ready for a wild ride! This CD is by far his most creative and emotional work. I LOVE this album. After hearing this album I had to buy up every other Redman CD I could find. I was secretly hoping to find something comparable to this CD. There isn't one. This is Redman's best work... PERIOD!

I admit to being wary of this guy.

That's not Joshua Redman's fault; it's the hype and, frankly, the thrashing about for a musical identity I've been wary of. I checked out most of his earlier CDs at the public library, and I couldn't figure out what he was doing or where he was going. Until now.

"Passage of Time" has real authority, real confidence, and something real to say. It sounds completely authentic.

Redman intends that the eight tunes on this CD be understood as a unit. That requires a seamlessness--a seamlessness that's undeniable in the transitions from "Our Minuet" to 'Bronze" to "Time," but that is less than clear elsewhere.

What matters more is that each of the tunes, if one can use the term 'tune,' is interesting, rewarding the listener in new ways with each replay.

This is not to denigrate any of the other players--certainly including Redman himself--but for me the standout on this CD is drummer Gregory Hutchinson, who made me really sit up and listen. His playing is about much more than keeping time, though it is about that, too.

I think this is probably an important CD, if only in terms of what it indicates about Redman's growth and his emergence as a more mature, more focused musician.

I saw Joshua Redman last month perform many of these songs at Jazz Alley in Seattle. The band was great and I really enjoyed this CD. Joshua is fun to watch on stage - he's Mr. Sax Man. I played this CD for a solid week which is an indication that it has good longevity. Jazz is such a personal experience, it is hard to express in words what this CD is all about. I'd say listen to the samples. If you like Joshua Redman, you should enjoy this CD.

This album appears to have been recorded entirely in one LONG take, each tune seamlessly flowing into the next. That takes guts! However, I strongly prefer his more recent Elastic or Freedom in the Groove, as well as Spirit Of The Moment: Live At The Village Vanguard.

For those who don't love this CD right away, please sit on it. Listen a few times. Many of the tastiest bites are hidden in interludes between tunes and the format provides for a more through-composed feel. It's indicative of the direction he's taken with the SF Jazz collective which i also highly recommend: He is exploring. It's innovative, it's tasteful, but perhaps most of all it's imperative to the future of the genre.

In 45 years of listening to jazz, I have heard three stunning drummers - Elvin Jones, Tony Williams and Greg Hutchinson. Listen to him particularly on Enemies Within. Breathtaking.

I have enjoyed all of Joshua Redman's albums. This album is a pinnacle moment in that it shows the full extent of communication between members of a group. On every track you hear all different ideas pouring out- all of them emotional and soulful in many ways. What may seem like a bit of over-experimentation is really a group of serious musicians who are listening to one another and expressing there ideas as one solid unit. They are in balance with one another. Redman is always leading the group in a possitive direction, no matter what he's experimenting with. This goes for the same with the other members as well. On piano, Aaron Goldberg is an amazing and most versatile player. he follows Redman carefully, not rushing or trying to wash out his playing. Gregory Hutchinson (drums) and reuben Rogers (bass) add to the sheer joy of this project. A thorough listening of this album is required. Each time you may find something different in the playing. Redman is a genius because he conveys his music in the most powerful and meaningful way more than any other musician I have heard. Take my word for it and simply enjoy!

Joshua Redman is the most compelling improviser in jazz saxophone playing today. More lyrical than either Brecker or Berg, more listenable than much of what Lovano does and with a near hypnotic quality to his best work (check out his last CD "Beyond")Joshua is approaching that much overused term "great". This latest work is his best. The writing, playing and arranging is all first rank and there's plenty of those hypnotic solos that draw you in to his music. Is he Coltrane? No of course not!! He's Joshua Redman and that's all he has to be. Buy this CD and hear some of the best jazz you'll hear anywhere, anytime. Why not 5 stars? Only the very great CD's get those and wonderful though this may be, it is not quite in that category. Certainly one of the best jazz experiences you'll have this year however and that is what's important. Amazon guidelines prevent direct crticism of other reviewers but PLEASE ignore negative remarks about this artist and this CD.Use your ears instead!