Search - Kenny Barron :: Images

Please do not let this release go unnoticed

andre salz | Quakertown, Pennsylvania USA | 06/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the typical jazz recording that could get lost and what a loss that would be. If you are a listener in search of new jazz compositions creatively performed this is perfect nourishment for your ears. Kenny Barron, along with Hank Jones is the living heart of jazz piano and it seems a very good composer. The impecable musicianship of the band highlights the compositions. Stephon Harris is an agknowledged star but The flautist and rhythm section are equally stellar. If you want a break from the standards and also one from a search for contempory rock substitutes these tunes are worthy additions to the jazz repertoire and they are fun to!"

A master and 4 young lions

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 07/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this band performing live just two days ago in Italy and they shines. Kenny is obviously great but the interesting fact is that he played with some young lions he's sponsoring (the same guys and girls which plays in this album too). Stefon Harris of course on vibes, he's already a stylist himself and a bright star in the jazz stardom. Great improviser and composer. Nice job from the flute girl Anne Drummond and from the japanese guy on double bass. But I was particularly impressed with the drum work of Kimberly Thompson. She delivered a spectacular drumplay. Spec-ta-cu-lar. I'm not joking. I'm not considering that her music is coming from a girl. She's a master drummer in every sense males past and present included! She is in the same drummers league with Dennis Chambers in my opinion, fast, energetic, great chops, she interplays with soloists, she plays on the whole set constantly and she has a lot of music sensibility too. Everything she played that night was great. Kim is a name to remember. A young star. She has a great future in the jazz biz for sure. Talking about the music the band played it was really near this album, same material except for New York attitude the opener of the concert which is a Kenny Barron's original not contained in this album which has been played for ten minutes or some and it proved to be a great vehicle for jazz improvisation. Live the music of this album went out really good with great swing and solos. This album is quite nice. It comprehend almost only originals written by Kenny and Stefon Harris mainly, among them an 18 minutes suite. There are two standards too, Hallucinations by Bud Powell and Footprints from Wayne Shorter's pen. I particularly love the unusual instrumentation. Vibe plus flute plus piano and rhythmn section create a nice swinging band with coherent sounds. You don't have trumpets or saxophones for examples which have voices with much more strenghts than piano or double bass. Here all the solos are on the same volume level and the thing is very nice. The music is at the same time deep and entertaining Jazz of the highest caliber. The music went out a little more energetic and interesting live, but this is common with any band, any composition. Anyway a really nice and unusual Jazz album. Buy with confidence."

Another Musical Treasure!!!

A. Davis | Greenville, SC | 01/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I almost missed this wonderful recording by Kenny Barron and his Quintet. Pairing up with Vibe Master, Stefon Harris and a trio of very talented musicians that have gone unnoticed - until this recording, Barron offers up a spectacular treasure chest of Jazz that is both innovative and exciting. This music moves and dances with both balance and grace, while maintaining an edge that only a well seasoned musician like Barron can pull off.



Before reading the credits, I could not figure out who was playing this beautiful flute, and to my surprise, I had only heard Anne Drummond twice before. She needs to record more because the lady has a beautiful style and her talents run deep. Pairing her with Stefon Harris gives this music a mild airy feeling - yet it doesn't float off and leave you hanging. This is my first time hearing both Kiyoshi Kitagawa (Bass) and Kim Thompson (Drums). Both are very strong and add a solid foundation beneath these beautiful compositions. Kenny is both the glue & the fire and he drives and dazzles throughout the recording. He's heavy bopping one minute and tenderly gentle the next. My favorite tracks are the ballads "The Lost Ones", "Marie Laveau" and "Song for Abdullah" . The title track is a masterpiece. At 18 minutes, this epic takes you on a vivid journey of sights and sounds. It is gentle up front and swinging like mad at the end. In between, the quintet is firing on all cylinders and smoking. Close your eyes and enjoy the trip. There is nothing thin or weak on the entire disc - just great Jazz played with much heart and soul.



Kenny Barron is one of the most underrated musicians on the music scene and he deserves a larger audience. I was fortunate enough to hear a track from "Images" on the digital cable music channel and immediately went out and bought the disc. Music like this is fresh & exciting and will never grow tired. Please also check out his duet recording with Regina Carter (Violin). That music, like this, is very special and a wonderful joy to experience. Thanks Kenny for creating another masterful treasure. Live long and prosper!!!"