Espresso

Reviewed: 2018-10-04
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Reviewed: 2018-10-04
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: the latest release from one of the masters of contemporary jazz. This disc doesn’t always stick to the script of being an acoustic piano/bass/drums trio playing straight ahead jazz, but in the so-called war between the traditionalist and fusionistas/progressives in jazz, James never really chose a side. His best music comes when he grounds himself firmly in both camps, as he does here.
If You Like: Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson, Les McCann
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Bulgogi (6:00) – piano starts> slow jam builds to uptempo> quick stop
2/ Shadow Dance (7:07) – piano starts> slow jam builds to midtempo> slows with synth addition> slow fade
*3/ Ain’t Misbehaving ( 5;33) – piano starts> barrelhouse midtempo jam> drum solo> midtempo jam> fade
4/ One Afternoon (3:30) – piano starts> slow jam with strings> slow fade
**5/ Mister Magic (6:19) – piano starts> slow jam swings uptempo> slows to midtempo> drum solo> quick fade>piano solo> midtempo jam> quick fade
6/ Topside (5:50) – piano starts> funky midtempo jam with electric piano & synth solos> slow fade
7/ Il Bocalone (4:04) – piano starts> slow jam> slow fade
*8/ Mojito Ride (7:33) – piano starts> uptempo jam>crescendo & fade
*9/ Promenade (4:13) – piano starts> slow jam> slow fade
10/ Boss Lady (4:45) – piano starts> midtempo jam> bass solo> midtempo jam>crescendo end
11/ Submarine (4:25) – drums start> midtempo jam with Rhodes> slow fade

If You Like: Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson, Les McCann
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Bulgogi (6:00) – piano starts> slow jam builds to uptempo> quick stop
2/ Shadow Dance (7:07) – piano starts> slow jam builds to midtempo> slows with synth addition> slow fade
*3/ Ain’t Misbehaving ( 5;33) – piano starts> barrelhouse midtempo jam> drum solo> midtempo jam> fade
4/ One Afternoon (3:30) – piano starts> slow jam with strings> slow fade
**5/ Mister Magic (6:19) – piano starts> slow jam swings uptempo> slows to midtempo> drum solo> quick fade>piano solo> midtempo jam> quick fade
6/ Topside (5:50) – piano starts> midtempo jam> slow fade
7/ Il Bocalone (4:04) – piano starts> slow jam> slow fade
*8/ Mojito Ride (7:33) – piano starts> uptempo jam>crescendo & fade
*9/ Promenade (4:13) – piano starts> slow jam> slow fade
10/ Boss Lady (4:45) – piano starts> midtempo jam>bass solo> midtempo jam>crescendo end
11/ Submarine (4:25) – drums start> midtempo jam with Rhodes> slow fade