Mike Ledonne : Soulmates

CD [Cover Art for Mike Ledonne / Soulmates]

Rate or comment on this item

Your Price: $15.26
Rated 10 with 2 responses
Availability: In Stock
Sell date: 12/1999
Label: Criss Cross
Mfg's Catalog#: 1074
CDC Part#: 372818
Add to Basket Add to Basket

 
 Notes & Reviews
 
Full title is: Soulmates

Length: 60:49

  Jon Gordon - Sax (Alto)
  Joshua Redman - Sax (Tenor)
  Lewis Nash - Drums
  Louis Nash - Drums
  Mike LeDonne - Piano
  Peter Washington - Bass
  Ryan Kisor - Trumpet

Soulmates was pianist Mike LeDonne's fourth album for the Dutch label Criss Cross, and it is likely one of his best. Granted, LeDonne really couldn't go wrong with musicians like alto saxist Jon Gordon, tenor saxophone giant Joshua Redman, veteran drummer Lewis Nash, Ryan Kisor on trumpet, and Peter Washington on bass, but here the veteran New York pianist has really outdone himself. If any jazz record released in the past decade could be compared to the classic quintet/quartet Blue Note albums of the 1950s (such as recorded by Jimmy Smith and Art Blakey ) it's this one. Though LeDonne did most of the arranging and wrote nearly all the songs on the album, his playing itself is one of its highlights. Listen to him weave through the second piece on the album, 'Homage,' ducking in and out of the changes, priming the rhythm section before rising to a simmering climax at the end of the chorus. Also standing out on this session is Joshua Redman, who plays consistently brilliant solos that mix the modern technical acrobatics of Michael Brecker with the bluesy sounds of Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis. Veteran alto player Jon Gordon blows several burning solos as well, with especially spectacular playing on the opener, 'Jessica's Birthday,' and 'Shaky Jake,' a Cedar Walton tune. Ryan Kisor, best known for his stint with the Mingus Big Band, plays excellent here also, sounding at times like Freddie Hubbard, but more often than not playing with a highly original style. Drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Peter Washington keep rock solid time throughout the album, both embellishing and reacting to the soloist's ideas and playing off them. A great album for Mike LeDonne all round, proving that he is among New York's top jazz pianists, composers, and arrangers. ~ Alex Arcone, All Music Guide

 
 Tracks and Sound Clips   Click here for the Windows Media player
 
Jessica's Birthday - Kisor, Ryan - 7:13 Play the Windows Media clip
Shaky Jake - Kisor, Ryan - 11:50 Play the Windows Media clip
Soulmates - Kisor, Ryan - 8:53 Play the Windows Media clip
Four-Eight-Four - Kisor, Ryan - 9:45 Play the Windows Media clip
Homage - Kisor, Ryan - 8:15 Play the Windows Media clip
Willow Weep for Me - Kisor, Ryan - 7:00 Play the Windows Media clip
C & B - Kisor, Ryan - 7:35 Play the Windows Media clip
 Recommendations

People who buy mike ledonne CDS may also enjoy, in order of descending probability, the works of Mark Masters, Steve Nelson, David Hazeltine Quintet, Jim Snidero, Bobby Broom, George Colligan, Larry Willis, Richard Davis, One For All And Eric Alexander, David Fathead Newman, Peter Bernstein, Tad Shull, Wayne Escoffery, Vincent Herring, Victor Goines Quartet.

To link directly to this page:
http://www.cdconnection.com/details/Mike_Ledonne__Soulmates/372818