Many of pianist
Barron's recordings have been done with one set lineup. Though he has a core band of bassist
Rufus Reid, drummer
Billy Hart, tenor saxophonist
David Sanchez, and trumpeter
Eddie Henderson, the leader changes up the music quite a bit on this diversely adorned recording of two standards and eight originals. There are two duet tracks -- one with guitarist
Russell Malone, the other with
Sanchez. "And Then Again" is a 12-bar bopper on which
Malone cops stairstep refrains from "Misterioso."
McCoy Tyner's kinetic "Passion Dance" features piano and tenor in a wonderful terpsichore.
Barron's his own man as an improviser. Brazilian moments always crop up on his recordings; this album sports a long, languid, samba-tinged take on
Billy Strayhorn's "Passion Flower," as well as the breezy melody of "Cook's Bay," which features a tick-tock samba similar to
Jobim's "Waters of March." These group efforts are joined by the
Art Blakey-like "The Pelican," one of
Barron's best writing jobs. In stark contrast is the funky, dark modal juggernaut "The Wizard," with banged-up, half-crazed chords from
Malone, and the grooving Afro-Cuban minimalism of the title cut. The rhapsodic "Passion Flower" and "Um Beijo" both feature violinist
Regina Carter.
Barron's romantic notions are best displayed on the delicate, trumpet-fired bossa ballad "Sonja Braga" and serene waltz "The Question Is...."
Barron has amassed a formidable number of high-quality recordings, but this ranks right up there near the top. ~ Michael G. Nastos