Steve Nelson Quartet - New Beginnings

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 64:18
Size: 103,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:08)  1. New Beginnings
(6:42)  2. Danielle's Waltz
(4:58)  3. Shape Shifting
(7:53)  4. Someone To Light Up My Life
(8:00)  5. The Song Is Ended
(8:42)  6. Down Fuzz
(9:36)  7. It's Talk Of The Town
(7:44)  8. How Little We Know
(4:31)  9. Wild Is The Wind

From the ebullient first track, a Nelson original, this release is consistently elegant and swinging. Nelson can cook like Milt Jackson and harmonize like Bobby Hutcherson, but imitates neither. His composing and performing talent both sparkle in this setting, where he's joined by three other top players, each of whom gets to shine in all the seamless, generous handing-offs. Highlights include Nelson's churning "Shape Shifting," with its whiff of mystery; the funky, bluesy "Down Fuzz"; and a languid, tropical reading of "Someone to Light Up My Life," where Nelson pedals his tone like a watercolorist, and each player's solo emerges as another lovely shade. It's a fine foursome: Miller's solos are thoughtful and impeccable, his comping melodic; his unaccompanied opener and solos on the dreamy "It's the Talk of the Town" are additional high points. Unrelated by blood, the Washingtons share a talent for subtle, yet essential contributions, and Kenny really kicks on this one. The closer is an unusual up-tempo version of the haunting "Wild As the Wind," capping a set of warm, relaxed, inviting jazz. ~ Judith Schlesinger http://www.allmusic.com/album/new-beginnings-mw0000254680

Personnel:  Steve Nelson (vibraphone); Mulgrew Miller (piano); Peter Washington (bass); Kenny Washington (drums).

New Beginnings

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