CHARLES LLOYD QUARTET: Mirror
ECM, 2010

MODERN JAZZ – At 72, saxophonist Lloyd is still one of the deepest guys around, and his current quartet is capable of profound emotion or electrifying improvisation. This ballad-heavy disc tilts more toward the former, with intimate standards and revisions of older Lloyd tunes.

Charles Lloyd - tenor & alto saxophones
Jason Moran - piano
Reuben Rogers - bass
Eric Harland - drums

All tracks very fine. Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

1. 5:00 – standard ballad, trio: tender sax melody turns oblique, mellow piano
2. 5:59 – old spiritual, roams gently over quiet drum patter, nice bass solo
3. 7:03 – warm and relaxed; piano wanders into brightness, friendly sax solo
4. 5:34 – sweet lullaby-like tune reaches for stirring grandeur, fine piano here
5. 4:02 – Brian Wilson ballad: sax sings with a wistful ache
6. 5:01 – gorgeous T. Monk ballad: lovely sax & piano over slow march beat
7. 6:42 – cozy and optimistic: moves at a natural pace, good playing from all
8. 5:25 – another Monk ballad: romantic, but also grows increasingly quirky
9. 7:20 – nice bluesy stroll with a little grease and a dose of the church
10. 4:28 – “the black national anthem,” played quickly and then deconstructed
11. 7:02 – rustling tone poem: intricate piano, sax takes it higher; soft landing
12. 9:17 – very spiritual, with quiet spoken word adapted from the Bhagavad Gita. Second half becomes bright and sparkling. Very nice indeed.

[ Fo ] 09/25/10