Incredible Jazz
Ben Kettlewell | Melbourne, Australia | 07/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Acclaimed music biography author David Ritz had this to say about Kenny Pore; "To dream out loud, to dream in sequences of seductive melody is an act of poetic faith. Kenny is a dreamer and poet both. A free spirit, a man of musical faith. His openhearted approach to making music is deceptively simple. His methodology is instinctual. He brings the vision in his head to the studio where, in the company of highly skilled colleagues, he translates the visions into sounds. brings the where, in the company of highly skilled colleagues, he sounds." I don't think anyone could describe the music and persona of Kenny Pore more accurately. Bringing along an all-star lineup of veteran jazz pros, these two new releases flow with great symmetry and balance among the players. The musicians on these two disks are a virtual who's who of contemporary jazz legends. They include such luminaries as Pat Coil, Robben Ford, John Patitucci, Vinnie Colaiuta, Hadley Hockensmith,Brandon Fields, Harvey Mason, Paul Jackson, Jr., Leon Gaer, Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Landau, Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, William Kennedy and vocalist Rick Riso. The Sessions volumes feature Pore's thoughtful compositions designed to captivate your musical ear and bring you into the story he is telling. Performed by a group of gifted musicians we experience the elegance and toe tappin' tempo of "Always with You", which rivals the finest I've ever heard from the Yellow Jackets or Spyro Gyra. On both CDs the bass, synth leads, and electric piano really hold everything together and establish the mood for each cut. For instance, the deep groovin' passages of "Meant for Each Other" from Volume Two is slowly waltzed into romance by Patituuci's mezmerizing bass arpeggios on the following cut, "Defying the Odds". Pat Coil does a beautiful synth lead that sounds like Lyle May's Obie4 voice, that smooth hollow timbre. Great melodic structure, wonderful solos. Great soprano sax in the last 16 measures. There are some smooth inviting vocals on "From the Heart". Most tracks have a fluid syncopation that is cool and incognito. Pore lets the sophisticated sound of the horns and velvet Rhodes piano glide you through easy tempos, and contemporary transitions with real finesse. Back to volume one, the album begins with a beautiful Yellow Jackets style composition with Brandon Fields doing a splendid job of holding down the melodies with his sweet tones on alto juxtaposed against the subtle phrasing of Hadley Hockensmith on guitar in a smooth Lee Rittenour of companage during the sax solos with tasteful fills interspersed throughout. While listening to "Inner City Dreams", if I had my eyes closed, I would swear I was listening to the Yellow Jackets. Again the chemistry between the players is pure magic. Pat Coil sets up a nice analog tinged Zawinul intro which dissolves into a nice funky groove on "Endurance". Brandon Fields really smokes on this cut. Then we're treated to a reprise of "Inner City Dreams" with the addition of vocals by Rick Riso, who has a great tone reminiscent of jazz vocalist, Al Jarreau. Hockensmith delivers a sweet sustaining lead. "Walking with You" is a dreamy ballad with laidback pads, and electric piano flowing like liquid, with beautifully interwoven leads traded back and forth between sax and synth. The perfect song for low lights, and slow dancing. That's followed by the tight groove of "Know that your Heart is Right", which starts out with a couple of great instrumental verses followed by a well placed vocal by Riso. You will find a world of delightment in this album. The overall sound is very polished, but always accessible. The compositions are superb, and Kenny has assembled a superb group of players to bring them to life. I hear familiar reminders of the roots and influences of some of the players, the Yellow Jackets, the Pat Metheny Group, Weather Report, Spyro Gyra. My favorite players were the bassmen, John Patitucci, and Jimmy Haslip who always set the groove and establish the feel. Pat Coil also deserves special thanks. His playing is always economical, tasteful, and beautifully lyrical. On both albums the guitars, electric, nylon, and steel string acoustic create a great atmosphere with the beautifully executed countermelodies and leads they intuitively add at the right moment on each cut. The slower ballads were my favorites, especially the beautiful " Season for Change" and the sultry soprano sax on " I Know a Place". Pore unites it all by keeping the tonalities locked into the proper mood at all times - giving both albums a very uplifting feel. Check out Kenny Pore's "Sessions" and you are sure to be satisfied!"
Pouring Over Kenny
David Ritz | L.A., CA USA | 06/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kenny Pore is background music moved to the foreground--lush, creative, evocative, rich and real. He comingles jazz and rhythm and blues with a gentle soul and strong rhythmic heart. He languishes over melody and, when it comes to mood, is a master. Pore is all about serenity and musical peace of mind. --David Ritz, biographer of Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1