Benny Golson ''New Times, New 'Tet & The Best Of '' (FLAC)

Benny Golson

''New Times, New 'Tet & The Best Of ''
( Concord Records, 2009 )
(FLAC)

Tracklisting:
1. Grove's Groove
2. Airegin
3. From Dream to Dream
4. Whisper Not
5. Epistrophy
6. L'Adieu
7. Love Me In A Special Way
8. Gypsy Jingle-Jangle
9. Verdi's Voice
10. Uptown Afterburn

Note Info:
"New Time, New 'Tet", Benny Golson's first new album in several years and already climbing the charts, features a modern version of one of his favorite forms, the sextet -- or as he calls it, the 'jazztet'. This record is his first album since 2004's "Terminal 1" which followed his appearance in the Steven Spielberg's movie "The Terminal". Joining with the legendary saxophonist to form the group and also help bring back his signature 'three horn' sound are trombonist Steve Davis and trumpeter Eddie Henderson, who has the difficult task of emulating long-time Golson collaborator Art Farmer on trumpet and lugelhorn. Filling out the sextet are pianist Mike LaDonne, bassist Buster Williams, and percussionist Carl Allen.The ten tracks include some of Golson's own classic pieces, such as "Whisper Not," here given the added delight of an Al Jarreau vocal, and some newer compositions too. "Uptown Afterburn" is a tune that would have been completely at home in the bebop era of Golson's younger days. Also on board are pieces from other jazz legends, including Sonny Rollins' classic, "Airegin" and "Epistrophy", an outstanding and irresistible rendition that composer Thelonious Monk would have loved. Golson's sax is especially nice here with his breathy style on full display. Golson draws from some eclectic source material, including an elegant but soulful cover of El DeBarge's "Love Me in a Special Way," which features particularly warm solo statements from the leader and Davis."It's interesting to note that Golson has also included a couple of tracks that feature his take on classical music. Good stuff". - Geezmusicclub "New Times New 'Tet" is an album with an implied 'suite', in which Benny Golson joins new compositions inspired by Giuseppi Verdi and Frederic Chopin to a standard jazz repertoire.In fact "his arrangements morph the music of Verdi into the jazz waltz "Verdi's Voice", and Chopin's ballad "L'adieau" into a showcase for Henderson's muted trumpet". - J.B.Spins The artistic result is philosophical musing that erupts into a street party. The album is a uniquely engaging suite of songs that give each member of this juggernaut sextet room to blow. "We've got some serious bop going on here, from new originals to covers of warhorses like Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy" and Sonny Rollins's "Airegin" to jazz arrangements of pieces by Chopin and Verdi. It's true that Golson, who turns 80 this month, is looking back 50 years with this sextet, but he's also still looking ahead"- Boston Globe The album debuts at # 8 of Billboard Top Jazz Albums.

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