What a sleeper. A must for anyone who "gets" K. D.
Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 12/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was mailed to me by mistake, and I thought my half dozen Dorham CD's were enough to represent him. Perhaps they are, but I've never heard the most poetic and musical of trumpet players sound more inventive and poignant than on this session. Credit Charles Davis, who never impressed me much prior to this album. He brings out Dorham at his lyrical, thoughtful best while the leader in turn almost seems to tame Davis' baritone sax into a docile, agreeable creature as responsive to every nuance and subtlety as the trumpet. This is musical conversation at its warmest and most intimate, and jazz that is simply timeless.
K.D.'s "Waltz" should be a standard; "Monk's Mood" is at once sublime power and heartfelt emotion; "This Love of Mine" is sheer charm and gossamer, even when Davis' baritone plumbs the depths.
The audio is somewhat lo fi, but the sound is clean, defined, well-separated, and the rhythm section is beautifully balanced in the mix. Steve Kuhn's piano keeps you guessing but never deserts the team mission, nor does bassist Jimmy Garrison or drummer Buddy Enlow. All offer Kenny the most sympathetic support, which is not distorted by some knob-driven audio engineer.
This one never wears out its welcome. K.D. wears and wears and wears--as always, the most enduring of trumpet players."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1