Khan, Steve: Subtext

Steve Khan has been one of the best jazz guitarists around since he burst onto the scene in 1977 with his first album Tightrope. I really liked his last album Parting Shot (2011), a Latin drenched jazz record of exceptional quality. That trend of quality guitar led jazz continues with his new record Subtext. A few of the players are back including Dennis Chambers (drums), Marc Quiñones (timbal, bongo, percussion) and Bobby Allende (conga, bongo). Rounding out the band is Rubén Rodriguez (electric and baby bass).

His Latin infused stylings continue as he covers tracks by jazz greats like Ornette Coleman, Freddie Hubbard and Thelonious Monk as well as a few originals. The album opening "Bird Food", originally penned by Coleman, is an excellent first track with outstanding flugelhorn courtesy of guest artist Randy Brecker. "Blue Subtext" is a fine Khan original with outstanding soloing from Khan. His chord phrasing and note choices are second to none. In the Wayne Shorter penned "Infant Eyes" the keys and guitar float like a dream while Greg Osby's "Heard" is made all the more colourful by Rob Mounsey's outstanding keyboard work. Of course, as in all these tracks, Khan's guitar is ever present.

Subtext is, quite frankly, one of the best jazz records so far in 2014. Suffice to say this one will be hard to top.

Track Listing:
1. Bird Food (9:04)
2. Blue Subtext (6:55)
3. Baraka Sasa (7:17)
4. Infant Eyes (8:31)
5. Heard (8:10)
6. Never Let Me Go (7:50)
7. Cada Gota De Mar (7:02)
8. Hackensack (5:46)
9. Bait And Switch (9:13)

Added: September 13th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 2256
Language: english

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