Beyond

Joshua Redman

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 4, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 4, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B00002DEIX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,276 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #13 in	Music > Jazz > Compilations > Bebop & Post-Bop
  #73 in	Music > Jazz > Modern Postbebop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In the early years of his career, saxophonist Joshua Redman at times seemed burdened by expectations raised by record-label hype he knew was only partly justified. Beyond marks his emergence as a fully mature artist. The album includes some of Redman's strongest playing--the gorgeous ballad "Neverend," the slow-building tenor exchange with longtime friend Mark Turner on "Leap of Faith," the tongue-in-cheek grave dance on "Last Rites of Rock 'n' Roll." It also includes some of his most ambitious writing--the 13/4 time signature on "Courage," the 9/4 "Lopsided Lullaby," the 10/4 "Suspended Emanations." Redman's quartet with pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson displays the immediate, organic swing of a real touring band. One complaint, however: at 73 minutes, the album is two or three tracks too long. Whatever happened to the idea of saving a few choice outtakes for the inevitable career rediscovery 30 years from now? --Rick Mitchell

From Jazziz
Consider Redman a middle-aged lion, though he's only 31. No longer the prodigious youngster of 1991, when he won the Thelonious Monk Institute competition, this talented, probing saxophonist has become as accomplished a composer as player. His seventh Warner Brothers release is a provocative anomaly, equally supple and sturdy. If it rarely catches fire, it just as rarely fails to nourish.

The tunes run the gamut from the emotive balladry of "Neverend," the shortest piece, to "Twilight ... and Beyond," an ambitious 11-minute exploration of timbre and tempo. Sparked by the thoughtful piano of Aaron Goldberg, Reuben Rogers' purposeful bass, and the impressionistic drums of Gregory Hutchinson, Redman always sounds assured, his confidence and authority unmistakable. But the dryness of his tone keeps this music from connecting viscerally, instead sticking to a cerebral plane above all.

One could say his titles tell the story: "Belonging (Lopsided Lullaby)," "A Life?" "Stoic Revolution." If they're witty - like the music - the titles are also enigmatic, puns that don't always make their point as clearly as they might. The tunes often are as tricky as the tempi, their drama more intellectual than physical.

Redman is in fine form - he's a trim, long man, like his sax lines - and the band is more than sympathetic. While you can hear Rollins and Coltrane in some tunes ("Stoic Revolution" sounds like an outtake from an early-'60s Trane recording on Atlantic.), Redman's voice is his own.

What's most heartening about Beyond is its complexity. Not only is it anything but easy-listening, but it's committed, the product of four men who spark a dense, collective improvisation. Repeated listening shows these tunes wear well. Whether they move you is another question. It's one worth asking of this record again and again.

--Carlo Wolff, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joshua Redman's "Beyond", April 7, 2000

By	Diego (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews

Hi guys! Since the fact that I'm italian, I'm sure you'll close an eye, or both, about the mistakes that necessarily will occur to me. I own the entire discography of this fantastic sax player, and when I last heard him play here in Rome, during summer '98, I realized of the huge potential that he really got. An absolutely stunning experience, listen to him alive, for those that still haven't done such thing, is something hard to explain. Well I said enough! The new album, is the perfect soundstage to this artist. It shows, one more time, that Joshua's tecnique, is continuosly growing up, without that self-celebration that sometimes other artists are showing after a number of recordings. This new album set a new standard in "young jazz" quality, showing that not only the "old lions" makes good recordings. The artistic rate, as well the sound quality, are at the highest level, and this, to me as an audiophile and music lover, is something I love to find. In shorts: highly recomended!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Brilliant!, April 12, 2000

By	Sunil Amrith (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews

I have to agree with the great jazz writer Gary Giddins when he says that no player of this generation has captured the 'body and soul' of Coltrane like Josh Redman. Yet, Redman has a style that's uniquely his own. 'Beyond' is a superd record - and one which gets better with each listening. The sweetness of his tone is a delight. He seems to combine dazzlingly fluid improvisation with starkly simple melodies. His playing is always pushing the envelope, yet always rooted in raw blues. Although it is a studio album, 'Beyond' has all of the immediacy of live performance. Throughout, the backing band is sensitive, and supremely talented. Aaran Goldberg is one of the best, blusiest pianists I have heard recently. Some highlights....it would be no exaggeration to say that 'Neverend' is one of the most gorgeous ballads I have ever heard - and not just from Josh Redman! The tenor duet with Mark Truner on 'Leap of Faith' is stunning. After a smoldering eastern-flavoured improvisation by the two saxophones, the band kicks in, and this track just swings! 'Twilight...and beyond' is a masterpiece. Taking the form of a suite, this one shows the band in perfect harmony - there is a phrase Redman plays just before the piano solo which is so gut-wrenchingly brilliant it blows me away...only to be followed by a sparkling solo by Goldberg! I wholeheartedly recommend this album to any jazz fan...it's a treat! I am definitely looking forward to seeing Redman live next month!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a compelling session from mr. redman, May 6, 2000

By	p dizzle "p dizzle" (augusta, georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

mr. redman gives us an outstanding jazz session on this album. the first three tracks ("courage," "belonging," and "neverend")draw us into a solid neo-bop atmosphere. mr. redman has obvioiusly grasped the lessons of the masters. one hears the echoes of sonny rollins, dexter gordon, and hank mobley as mr. redman weaves and dances through these songs. all the while, though, mr. redman continues to give us his own voice. he swings and sings throughout the album with high energy. the album really hits it stride on the lengthier selections in the middle ("leap of faith," "balance" and "twilight"). here we get to hear mr. redman stretch out and never meander, never lose focus as he developes his themes with style and grace. moreover, his support really shines through. aaron goldberg is a find on piano. just dig his soloes and comping throughout, you'll want to find more by him. also, hearing mr. redman and mark turner together is a real treat ("leap of faith"). finally, mr. redman shows his mastery of all the major saxes. his work on alto and soprano throughout are outstanding. the only gripe is that i wish he would dabble with some of the adventuresome spirit of his father, dewey redman. son joshua obviously has the ability to explore, it'd be nice to hear the results.