Originally released in Japan on producer
Yasohachi Itoh's 88 label, Columbia has licensed several titles from the audiophile label, including this one from veteran hard bop/new thing drummer
Roy Haynes.
Love Letters gathers an all-star roster, including pianists
Kenny Barron and David Kikoski, bassists
Dave Holland and
Christian McBride, tenor player
Joshua Redman, and guitarist
John Scofield for a thoroughly solid set of standards. Even as he approaches his eighth decade,
Haynes continues to display the drive that has made him an in-demand timekeeper since his tenure with
Charlie Parker and
Bud Powell. It's evident throughout the entire album, from the rock-ist suggestions of
Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue" to the poignant take on
Horace Silver's "Que Pasa." All of the groupings have their shining moments, but
Haynes with
Holland and
Scofield is a combination that demands to be documented further. Recommended. ~ Wade Kergan