Saxophonist Lovano masterfully tackles tenor, alto and soprano on this definitive 90s jazz record. In what was probably the best rhythm section going around at the time, the album features the late Ed Blackwell on typically thunderous drums and topnotch bassist Dave Holland. Pianist Michel Petrucciani's accompaniment is a real treat.
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Wish Joshua Redman 1993 [Warner]
Tenor Redman's second record comes close to living up to the hype accorded him at the time. This is a surprisingly conventional set considering the rhythm section featuring Ornette Coleman alumni Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins. In addition, guitarist Pat Metheny contributes some laid-back interplay that fits the bill to a tee.
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Masada - Alef John Zorn 1994 [DIW]
Altoist Zorn explores his Jewish cultural heritage, taking the suicidal Zealots of Masada as his inspiration. This is the debut in the lengthy Masada series - the first three being named for letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Zorn's quartet intuitively shatters the boundaries of jazz with its inimitable stylistic nonconformity. Topnotch Avant-Garde.
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Jurassic Classics James Carter Quartet 1994 [DIW/Columbia]
According to many saxophonist James Carter has more than enough talent to eventually see him placed amongst the greats. This is an adventurous collection of standards, featuring novel interpretations of Duke Ellington's 'Take the A-Train' and John Coltrane's 'Equinox'. A more than worthy addition to any contemporary jazz collection.
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Doc Cheatham & Nicholas Payton Doc Cheatham/Nicholas Payton 1997 [Verve]
Doc Cheatham was 91 when this album was recorded and young trumpeter Nicholas Payton pays due respect. It is a delightful tribute to Louis Armstrong, with Cheatham rounding out the set with an occasional vocal. The mix of an Armstrong contemporary and an admiring young New Orleans trumpeter is swingingly irresistible.
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Like Minds Gary Burton 1998 [Concord]
Veteran vibraphonist Gary Burton teams with a star-studded lineup that includes Chick Corea on piano and guitarist Pat Metheny, backed by the Roy Haynes/Dave Holland rhythm section. The album's title is a tip-off to how well group members read each other on this workmanlike effort consisting mostly of originals.
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Combustication Medeski, Martin & Wood 1998 [Blue Note]
Perhaps sensitive to often being labelled as a rock band, MMW went to great lengths to display their jazz credentials on Combustication - their first for Blue Note. In the end though, John Medeski's keyboards still sound super-funky and there is plenty of stuff that will appeal to their alt-rock audience. Great stuff for the funksters out there.
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Thad Jones Legacy The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra 1999 [New World]
Trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis established this orchestra's predecessor in the mid-60s, going on to play weekly gigs at the Village Vanguard in New York ever since. With Jones long-departed, it was therefore fitting that the modern day version of the outfit acknowledge his legacy with this superb tribute album.
