E.E.R.

Renee Rosnes, Art & Soul (CD, 58:27); Blue Note 99997, 1999
Blue Note Records
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New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-253-3000
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        On her sixth Blue Note release, burning pianist Renee Rosnes is 
joined by drummer/husband Billy Drummond and bassist Scott Colley, 
whose ubiquity of late threatens to reach Dave Holland proportions. 
Whereas previous outings have stressed Rosnes's own compositions, 
this disc contains only two originals-and they happen to be my two 
favorite cuts. The uptempo "Romp" is based on simple triadic motifs, 
giving it a uniquely bright sound. During her solo Rosnes reaches an 
inspired height, quoting "Now's The Time" at some length when you'd 
least expect it. Colley solos nimbly over the fast-moving, unusual 
changes and Drummond takes a couple of deft choruses. "Little 
Spirit," a mid-tempo chart in 3/4 with a straight-eighth feel, is a 
moving tribute to Rosnes's son, Dylan. It's simply beautiful, and 
Rosnes solos her heart out on it.
	The other strongest tracks are Ornette's "Blues Connotation," 
which the trio tears up, and a song called "Lazy Afternoon," elevated 
to realms of sheer enchantment by Dianne Reeves's sensuous vocals. 
Not quite as affecting, though very good, are the Sinatra ballad 
"Goodbye," Duke's "Fleurette Africaine," Egberto Gismonti's 
"Sanfona," and a jazz read of Bartok's "Children's Song No. 3." 
Reeves is featured again on an intriguing yet superfluous version of 
Wayne Shorter's "Footprints," here called "Ancient Footprints." 
Richard Bona's percussion on this track is a nice addition, though, 
and his kalimba (thumb piano) on "Fleurette" grabs one's attention.
	Jazz musicians play Beatles covers an awful lot these days, 
and Rosnes perpetuates the trend with a slowed-down version of "With 
a Little Help from My Friends." I was prepared to hate it, but I have 
to say it's grown on me. The reharmonization is totally slick, the 
performance chock full of soul. Jazzers, if you must cover pop songs, 
this is the way to do it.
~David R. Adler


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