Search - Steve Nelson Quartet :: New Beginnings

Solid Straightahead Jazz

Ronald Lyles | West Hartford, CT | 02/04/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"At the outset I should point out that I have listened to this CD for the past couple of weeks either while driving, or in the office. I state that disclaimer to indicate that except for the first time I heard the cd, I have not been able to perform the critical listening that I am sure the professional music critics perform.Even though I consider Steve Nelson one of the top vibists playing today, and I have many cds on which he performs as a sideman, this is the first cd I purchased of Steve Nelson as a leader. The other members of the group on this cd include Mulgrew Miller (piano), Kenny Washington (drums) and Peter Washington (bass). Nelson's playing on this cd is not quite as adventurous or on the edge, as it is on recent cds by Dave Holland and Jerome Harris. I really like the way Nelson sounds when he streteches out a bit. On this cd he plays it a little closer to the line. Three of the compositions are by Nelson, and the remainder of the songs include a couple of standards. Although Nelson plays it rather safe, this is nevertheless an enjoyable cd. Miller is a great pianist who elevates the quality of any recording he participates in. Miller and Nelson have previously played together and it shows here. They really have a certain empathy with one another. Overall, though nothing overly new occurs, this is a high quality polished performance."