Search - Leon Lee Dorsey :: Song of Songs

Smokin Authentic Original Music

08/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leon's writing is exceptional. The versatility of the ensemble is great. The vibraphone work is very stimulating. A great CD for those who love music especially jazz."

Swinging!!!

07/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great quartet record of bassist Leon Lee Dorsey. Features great vibraphone work from Bryan Carrott and Carlton Holmes is fantastic on piano. Vince Ector plays great drums also. Leon Lee Dorsey has played with Art Blakey, Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard and many others."

Terrific throwback to MJQ's early sound...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 12/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I hope if Mr. Dorsey reads this, he accepts that when I compare the work of his group on this CD to the 1950's sound of the Modern Jazz Quartet, I am paying a high compliment. His bass-playing and song-writing, Bryan Carrott's vibraphone, the piano of Carlton Holmes, and the drumming by Vincent Ector are all superb. I had never heard of Dorsey or any of the other members when I purchased this because it looked interesting and the price was a bargain. I was a bit hesitant because Dorsey titled four of the nine tracks with religious terms, and I was worried I might be subjected to the kind of spiritual dissonance John Coltrane cultivated in parts of his famous "A Love Supreme." (While that album is beloved by many, it is the least favorite of my own dozen Coltrane discs.) However, on Dorsey's disc, "Baptism" and "Thessalonians" and "Song of Songs" and "Until the End of Time" are lovely, swinging bop tunes. No vocals, no chants, just great small-group jazz that is real jazz, not the bland stuff called "smooth" in recent years. Don't get me wrong...this unit is not cloning the MJQ, even though the same four instruments are present. Dorsey is the leader, so bass is more prominent than it was in MJQ; Mr. Carrott, good as he is on vibes, is not the immortal Milt Jackson, so Holmes' piano is more prominent. But if you are a fan of MJQ, you can't help but like this album too. It's 54 minutes of happiness, and I am delighted to have accidentally stumbled across it. Dorsey's compositions are consistently interesting, too. Jazz lovers, grab this if you can find it. Although it was recorded in 1999, it seems to be scarce, since it is not a major label product. It sure deserves wide exposure."