Sketches of MD

Kenny Garrett (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mack Avenue
• ASIN: B001DGSGOW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,789 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #32 in Music > R&B > Funk > Jazz Funk
  • #76 in Music > Jazz > Avant Garde & Free Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Throughout his illustrious career, saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist/composer Kenny Garrett has accumulated multiple Grammy® nominations, countless collaborations, and a long list of accolades from his peers. With Sketches of MD, Garrett adds several historic firsts to his résumé: the first live recording of the Kenny Garrett/Pharoah Sanders pairing, Garretts' first recorded set at New York City's famed Iridium Jazz Club, and his first release on Mack Avenue. In addition to Sanders, Garrett is joined on stage by Nat Reeves on bass, Benito Gonzalez on keys and Jamire Williams on drums

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Beyond the Wall' meets... funk?, September 28, 2008

By 

Matthew Miller "jazzplayer" (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sketches of MD (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of Kenny Garrett for a while now, and I figured that this would be a spiritual successor to his last album, "Beyond the Wall", which was a very solid release (particularly the last cut, "May Peace be Upon Them" which is just killer). Sure, the rhythm section is completely different than on "Beyond the Wall" but it features Pharoah Sanders as 'Wall' did, so I assumed that it would be very much along the lines of that last effort. The first track, "The Ring", was in keeping with my expectations, but slowly after that it diverged farther and farther from what I expected. I found myself listening what seemed to be a sort of funk inspired album in the last few tracks, which was unexpected, not necessarily bad, but unexpected.

I found myself surprised upon hearing in "Wayne's Thang", a song from an earlier album of his ('Triology', if your interested) some synthesized jazz organ. Even more surprised upon hearing Kenny playing through an electrified setup, putting a bit of echo and wah-wah effects on his saxophone. I was also surprised on how much Sanders was allowed to open up. Famous to many as the add on to the late John Coltrane quartet, Sanders has a unique ability to make his saxophone wail and scream in ways that most musicians can't emulate and most listeners can't listen to. On 'Wall', he was subdued, to say the least, almost shockingly tasteful. Here, he is given much more room to go crazy. Here I found it significantly more palatable than with his work with Trane, and indeed sometimes very interesting. That having been said, if you don't at the very least find multiphonics and split reed stuff interesting, you may want to give this one a listen before you buy.

Now, this was not a bad album by any stretch, really, those two shocks to the system aside, it is quite enjoyable. "Intro to Africa" is a favorite of mine, with just a really great, deep groove, as is the closing track "Happy People", which is, as the name might imply, truly exuberant, with Kenny getting the audience to sing along and, I assume, probably dance as well. His ne rhythm section is great as well. The drummer, Jamire Williams, is particularly impressive with some really fun double bass drum hits that can really throw you if you're not ready for them.

All in all, a very solid work, but some may want to be careful of Sanders, as he is something of a controversial figure.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kenny Never Let's Me Down!, October 28, 2008

By 

W. Hicks "wailnsax" (Temecula, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sketches of MD (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of Kenny Garrett's since 1997 when I first purchased "Songbook" and since then he has remained my favorite saxophonist. I play sax myself and have been a musician for the majority of my life. Ever since I learned about Kenny Garret, he has been a huge inspiration for me.

This album captures the high energy that he is notorious for when you see him live. From the very first note he plays he goes non stop and always manages to get the crowd involved and to leave with a huge smile on their face. His stamina and ability to create musical artwork on the fly is absolutely amazing.

Sketches of MD and Wayne's Thang would have to be my favorite tracks if I am forced to choose. Wayne's Thang is just straight up funk which I love and Kenny's use of effects on his sax just adds to the flavor of the tune. Pharoah Sanders and Kenny obviously have a deep friendship and this is reflected in their musical conversations. I love everything Kenny does, but this album will be hard to top! However, I have no doubt Kenny will find a way. Thanks Kenny... you make me never want to stop listening, learning and playing!!!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wayne's Thing..., December 20, 2008

By 

Bill Berry - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sketches of MD - Live at the Iridium (MP3 Download)

I love this entire album, but Wayne's Thing has an infectious groove, so infectious they to just fade it out. I've been the audience when KG did Happy People, and I was surprised how well it came across as a recording. C'mon Pharoah! An excellent homage to Miles Davis.