(Warner Bros. 1995), but he's never recorded one with such clearness of intent as the self-produced Compass.In keeping with the double meaning of the title word (alternately a verbto accomplish as good as the noun as a creature of direction) thesaxophonist leads two different trios into unfamiliar terrain withauthority and aplomb.
The short, two-minute intro to the album iscalled "Uncharted," and its gentle crescendos sound like nothing so muchas an invocation of the creative impulse. Not that Redman and his bandmates hadn't already tendered a plea to the Muse; aligningthemselves in various combinations for the three sessions that producedthe album stands as a collective act of courage and artisticself-confidence.
The music bristles with vigor throughout.Whether it's the leader plus drummer Brian Blade and bassist LarryGrenadier navigating the contours of "Faraway" or the three teaming withdrummer Gregory Hutchinson and bassist Reuben Rogers on "Just LikeYou," with all involved instinctively dancing an instrumental ballet ofsorts, these musicians pirouette around each other ever so gracefully,with nary a trip on a melody line when not interlocking on a rhythmicphrase.
What's all the more remarkable about Compassis that, while it is Joshua Redman's twelfth recording as a leader (notcounting his tenure at the head of SF Jazz Collective), it is justhis second since returning from his rifle into the country of electricgroove with The Elastic Band. The preceding Back East(Nonesuch, 2007), showed more than a few signs of uncertainty, as Redmansomewhat tentatively reacquainted himself with the textures of acousticmusic and the kinetics of a three-piece lineup. This album, incontrast, betrays none of those qualities but rather a strength andcertainty all around, centered in the easy but forcefully wrought hornlines Redman proffers on "Moonlight," a version of Beethoven'senduring Moonlight Sonata.
Even on lighter pieces such as thewhimsically titled "Hutchhiker's Guide," or when he imbues his sopranohorn lines with so much gusto on "Round Reuben," Redman sets the tonefor the group. His staunch presence in the use of the bandleader is ascrucial to the winner of the individual tracks as to the end outcome of Compass in total.
Whatmay be most impressive, however, is that by the clock the originalmaterial has been traversed (mostly the saxophonist's, with one eachfrom Grenadier and Blade), there's the palpable sense that the Redmanhas opened himself up to all manner of possibilities for future musicalendeavors, proceeding immediately from the cathartic self-renewal that is Compass.
Track listing;
01.Uncharted [02:06]
02.Faraway [06:44]
03.Identity Thief [06:39]
04.Just Like You [07:33]
05.Hutchhiker?s Guide [05:49]
06.Ghost [03:39]
07.Insomnomaniac [08:42]
08.Moonlight [05:04]
09.Un peu fou [05:05]
10.March [03:23]
11.Round Reuben [06:27]
12.Little Ditty [08:33]
13.Through the Valley [03:00]
Personnel:
Joshua Redman-saxophones;
Larry Grenadier- bass;
Reuben Rogers- bass;
Brian Blade- drums;
Gregory Hutchinson- drums.
Compass