This CD by the
Charles Lloyd Quartet avoids fitting into any of the stereotypes that one might have about ECM's recordings. Pianist
Bobo Stenson has carved his own identity out of the styles of
Bill Evans and
Keith Jarrett, drummer
Billy Hart is stimulating in support and
Anders Jormin provides a walking bass on many of the tracks; a rarity for ECM sessions. As one might expect, the main focus is on
Charles Lloyd whose playing during the past decade has been some of the finest of his career. He mostly sticks to tenor (just playing flute on "Little Peace" and Chinese oboe on the very brief "Milarepa"), and although traces of
John Coltrane's sound will always be in his tone,
Lloyd comes up with quite a few original ideas. He is best on "Thelonious Theonlyus" (which has a slight calypso feel to it), the episodic "Cape to Cairo Suite" (a tribute to Nelson Mandela), a long tenor/drums duet on "All My Relations" (which is a mix between "Chasin' the 'Trane" and "Bessie's Blues") and the brooding spiritual "Hymne to the Mother." A strong effort. ~ Scott Yanow