Truth And Reconciliation

Darrell Grant's latest certainly shares a level of reflection, but it's largely a less somber affair, opening with the down-right joyful title track. "Ubuntu" is a bit stealthier, but it has an infectious drums-and-bass groove that positively exudes good will. So does "Fils du Soleil," a dedication to Tony Williams whose funk whispers, due mainly to Patitucci, through an eerie haze of chords and shards of melody. The veteran bassist even brings life to what might have been a stagnant cover of the Police's "King of Pain." It's symptomatic of the release; even when tradition and smooth production threaten to overtake, a sweet chord change, or a well-placed accent or syncopation, save the day, making the set quite enjoyable, to Grant's credit.