Amazon.com
This first-time outing by the side-project trio of young organist
Sam Yahel, star saxophonist
Joshua Redman, and in-demand drummer
Brian Blade is sneakily low-key--a set of originals you're ready to dismiss as lightweight until the soulful melodies and group chemistry kick in. Yahel (nicknamed "Yaya"), who is new to big-label exposure, combines the subtle, blissfully restrained touch of the recently deceased
Shirley Scott with the dark cresting chords of '60s organ innovator
Larry Young. Redman, on leave from the high concepts that have grounded his recent albums, offers some of his nimblest tenor playing in a while, making us regret that he doesn't cut loose more (he also gets more out of his soprano than usual). And Blade, whose past associations with Redman and Yahel brought them together, does a nice job of toning down his edgy, declamatory style and sweeps the music along. The album marks the reawakening of Warner Bros.' long-dormant R&B subsidiary, Loma Records.
--Lloyd Sachs
Product Description
The great tradition of organ trios is rediscovered with Yaya3 (Yaya cubed), a fiery collaboration of three of the finest young players in jazz-organist Sam Yahel, saxman Joshua Redman and drummer Brian Blade. On their debut album, featuring all original compositions, they recall such classic trios as those led by Kimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. 9 tracks.