Kim Richmond / Clay Jenkins Ensemble

CrossWeave

82431



MUSIC REVIEW BY George Harris, All About Jazz/Los Angeles

VIEW THE CD DETAIL PAGE

Altoist supreme Kim Richmond, and his long-time trumpet mate, Clay Jenkins, have put out a neo-bop collection that is at once adventurous, yet accessible. "Crossweave" features a rich selection of cleverly crafted originals, mixed with a few creative arraingements of jazz standards that will keep your interest for multiple listenings.

Be it on the intricate bass line on the opening Richmond composition "Troubleshooter", or on the re-harmonized "Touch Of Your Lips", Richmond and Jenkins make these complex arrangements swing with felicity. Jenkins' "Love is Kind" (based on the Bible verse) is indeed never failing and persevering, gently rocking behind Dankos warm chords. Jenkins' "Always With You" is possibly the greatest song that Thelonious Monk never wrote. It has the same harmonic and rhythmic twists and turns that keep the listener coming back for more. This is the second recording of Monk-inspired material that Jenkins has made the trumpet feel at home with the Sphere. Perry adds his tenor to Rouse things up as well.Richmond's "Crossweave" is assertive and aggressive without being assaulting. Perry's virul tenor, and Perry's piercing trumpet, each soloing over Thompson's solo drumming is indeed a roller coaster ride. These songs are not simply blowing sessions, however. Each song has its moments of punctuated accents and riffs supplied by the front line.

Richmond, himself, with his dry tone and superhuman control of dynamics, shines throughout the disc. He is absolutely riveting on the re-arrainged version of Gillespies "Groovin' High", and breathlessly lyrical on the sole ballad (Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now"). This is a man in the prime of his playing, and deserves to be heard.








ORIGIN RECORDS

OA2 RECORDS

ORIGIN CLASSICAL

CONTACT US

  • Origin Records
    8649 Island Drive South
    Seattle, WA 98118
    ph: (206) 781-2589
    fx: (206) 374-2618
  • Email / Order Info / Etc
THE ORIGIN MUSIC GROUP • FOUNDED 1997 / SEATTLE, WA • THE MUSIC YOU NEED