Search - Kenny Garrett :: Pursuance: Music of John Coltrane

The real Kenny G

Emmanuel A. Idowu | Detroit, Mi United States | 07/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My homeboy DAMN! right I'm from the "D". This CD's a beautiful because it pays homage not only to great artist but, a great person. It tripped me out because I never would imagine this CD with a Alto saxophone. Trane played Tenor on most of the songs selected but, Kenny is that deal. If anyone could pull off this feat it was Kenny. He should have was a Grammy for this but, they never show Detroit cats love anyway. His interpretation of Equinox and Lonnie's Lament with Pat Metheny's solos highlight the album. On top of that he has another homeboy on the bass my man Rodney Whitaker who nothing short of brilliant. I gotta put this out there. The real jazzheads know who Kenny G is. Not the white cat form Washington state. This has been one of the best Alto players for many years. I believe his is respected but, he still is slept on. This guy keeps dropping solid CD's and making guest appearances. What I like about him best is his live performances. I was blessed with the opportunity to see him this spring in Detroit play with a couple of locals LOL! None other than Geri Allen, Ali Muhummad Jackson, Robert Hurst and their teacher the great Marcus Belgrave. This was the best jazz performance I've seen. This album and any album Kenny records are must haves.Peace,
Emmanuel"

A Valliant Effort from an All Star Ensemble

C. Graham | Minneapolis, MN | 10/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is among my favorites of Kenny Garrett's. Though a lot of people mistake this album as an attempt to copy John Coltrane's music, one has to understand the remarkable similarities between Garrett and Coltrane. They have each developed a similar harmonic concept and melodic approach to their playing (however, Garrett obviously was simply another student of Coltrane, like all saxophone players...).



There was no doubt in my mind that Garrett was up to the task of playing Coltrane's music when I bought the CD, because he's pretty much the undisputed champion of the alto saxophone, but I was really impressed by the rest of the group in matching the force and imagination that was behind Garrett's playing.



First of all, Pat Metheny assumes the roll of McCoy Tyner as the accompanist. This is an unsusal setting for the guitarist, but he does an amazing job of laying back, although almost too much at times. Tyner was agressive and intense while staying out of the way of Coltrane. I read a review saying that Metheny was wrong for spraying his "Cheeze Whiz" guitar synth sound all over this record. I felt I had to respond. The effects (which were used sparingly) allow the sound of Metheny's guitar to match the intensity of Garrett's tone, and I fell it works beautifully. Metheny also plays his 42-string Pikasso guitar, adding to the creativity. Garrett hired Pat Metheny for a reason: because he's freaking PAT METHENY man! No one else could have done as good a job, and the use of guitar over piano forced innovation onto the quartet.



The rest of the quartet holds it down as well. Rodney Whitaker (bass) is just the rock of the whole group. He lays an amazing foundation for improvisation. I really like listening to Brian Blade's playing on the record as well because he's still getting to where he is now (check out Directions in Music...) but he's well on his way. I also think that its cool how he dropped a beat coming out of a fill into the head on Countdown. Its not cool that he messed up so much as it is that they didn't go all 'digital' and fix it. They keep it totally real on this album, and its definitely worth checking out."

A Gem!

P. Deunet | Luxembourg, Europe | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A CD that combines Kenny Garrett and Pat Metheny plus Brian Blade is too good to pass up. Please get this, it'll leave you breathless -doesn't matter if you're a devoted Trane fan -what makes this recording so unique is the artistry of the musicians, who not only pay their dues to one of the greatest jazz composers and improvisers that ever lived but combine their efforts to take John Coltrane's music a step further.

Isn't that what Coltrane always wanted in the first place, to have younger jazzcats play and feel the music he crafted and perform it in their own way?

This is jazz at its best -both classic and contemporary."