Good solid CD
DMG | Swindon UK | 02/16/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Though jazz isn't reaching the levels of greatness it did in the past (think Benny Goodman in the 40s, Charlie Parker in the 50s, Miles Davis in the 60s, Herbie Hancock in the 70s...) this shows that there are still some good if not great musicians still playing the genre. Guy Barker is one of the best of the bunch of jazz musicians at the moment, a trumpeter in the miles davis mould, with an attractive warm, sensuous tone in ballads, and a perky athleticism in faster tracks. he is supported by a good band featuring denys baptise on tenor sax among others. 'part one' of the album contains 7 tracks, most by barker himself, with 'nature boy' (beautiful ballad) and 'queen of the night' (one of the strangest jazz covers of classical tunes I've ever heard! it's a mozart tune from the magic flute) being the exceptions. most of the songs are upbeat, 'underdogs'has a 70s-style funky feel to it, partly due to the presence of hammond organ (tho' the intro is more mellow). 'purr' is a nice ballad. 'part two' is a suite written for an imaginary 'film noir', a tribute to the 40s and 50s film classics that Barker loves. it's called 'sounds in black and white' though the music itself is far from monochrome. overall, a good buy, one of the better jazz cds of recent times."