Yesterday's Man

構成数 : 1
合計収録時間 : 00:59:30
Personnel: William Knowles (piano); Jimmy Junebug Jackson (drums). Audio Mixer: Bob Dawson. Recording information: Bias Studios, Springfield, VA. It is no coincidence that one of Saltman/Knowles' previous releases was titled It's About the Melody (as opposed to It's Not About the Melody, which was the title of a Betty Carter album from 1992). The acoustic post-bop that bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles have been providing is, in fact, decidedly melodic -- not melodic in a pop-minded, commercial, or overly sentimental way, but melodic nonetheless. And that commitment to melody remains on Yesterday's Man. Melody isn't a mere afterthought on this early-2010 release; it is an essential part of Saltman and Knowles' post-bop vision, and singer Lori Williams obviously shares that vision. She is featured on seven of the album's ten tracks -- and whether Williams is embracing lyrics or scatting, she never fails to be soulful and expressive. Like before, Saltman/Knowles emphasize original material; everything on Yesterday's Man was composed by either Saltman or Knowles. From the emphasis on original material to the prominent role that Williams plays, this 58-minute CD pretty much picks up where the group's 2009 release, Return of the Composer, left off. But there is one difference that will jump out at Saltman/Knowles' followers: the addition of steel pan player Victor Provost, who enjoys a fair amount of solo space. An instrument that is mainly identified with calypso, the steel pan has not been a prominent jazz instrument. But it has worked wonders for Andy Narell (jazz's first major voice on the steel pan), and Provost is a welcome addition to a group that already had a lot going for it before his arrival. Yesterday's Man is a winner. ~ Alex Henderson
録音 : ステレオ (---)