Reality

On pianist Julian Joseph's second recording as a leader, released in Europe on the East-West label, he is joined by two musicians that appeared his first CD, tenor saxophonist Jean Touissant and drummer Mark Mondesir, with bassists Charnett Moffett and Wayne Batchelor sharing bass duties and alto saxophonist Peter King guesting on two selections, as they perform ten Joseph originals and a slower than usual arrangement of "Body and Soul." Once again, the focus is on Joseph's compositions, characterized by their complex melodies, shifting feels, the piano-bass vamps, but Joseph also experiments with electric keyboards on "Bridge to the South" and "My Desire" and even displays a nice singing voice on the title track. (The East West version also includes a song "Look Out for Love" sung by Joseph.) Other favorites include the Latin-influenced "Dance in a Perfect World," the aptly titled "Swingstone," the complex "Empty Dream" and "The Whispering Dome," and the medium swinger "Jean-EE-T," Joseph's dedication to Touissant. A fine second step in the development of a emerging talent. ~ Greg Turner|