Search - Steve Nelson Quartet, Mulgrew Miller, Ray Drummond :: Communications

Debut CD for Steve Nelson; not Jim Snidero, a sax player

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 02/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"who doesn't even appear on the cd!



That said, this is a fine quartet outing led by vibist Steve Nelson, whose playing is much similar to the late Milt Jackson. The rest of the quartet is well rounded out by veteran players, pianist Mulgrew Miller, Ray Drummond at the bass, and drummer Tony Reedus. The program is equally well rounded, being comprised of four standards and five originals....all ranging from slow to very fast tempos. All members of the quartet get to display their various skills.



Picking out favorites would be a real chore since I enjoyed every track. "Atten Hymn" is a very catchy composition opening with a great bass figure and is a tour de force of Nelson's playing besides displaying some of the great piano work of Mulgrew Miller. "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" is done at a solid medium tempo, which if I didn't know better, I would assume to be performed by Milt Jackson. "What's New" is a nice slow reflective presentation......VERY Jackson....also some nice Miller piano.



This is not to say that Steve Nelson is not a unique player.....merely that having heard and bought this recording, that I think his playing ranks up there with the best, Jackson, Hutcherson and Burton.



Any jazz fan who enjoys a good quartet, particularly focused on vibraphone, will really dig this cd!"