I bought this myself so no PR person awaits a review but if you like jazz, you should give it a listen.
It’s elegant and beautifully played – if you are new to jazz, it’s what you’d want a jazz album to be, polished, slick, not too difficult and with great playing, from the opening sophistication of “The Nearness of You” to the tight, fast and slightly out-there second track, “Scratch”. The album has a nice blend of comforting familiarity and experimentation, ranging from lounge bar jazz to hard bop.
“Tragic Magic” is fast and tight with a pleasing vibraphone solo while the title track offers more sophistication. It veers towards easy listening in places (“Blues On Stratford Road”).
In his 80th year, Barron a 13-time Grammy nominee, is said to be the greatest currently-working jazz pianist.
There is a gatefold double LP version for those who like vinyl.
See kennybarron.com or roughtrade.com.
JMC
