Pianist William Knowles and bassist Mark Saltman have been playing together for just shy of twenty years. There latest release Almost comes five years after the release of Yesterday's Man in 2011 and the death of their drummer Jimmy Junebug Jackson. Understandably they took some time off and they sound more rejuvenated than ever. The songs have great grooves and stellar musicianship and even though the tasteful solos pack plenty of punch, this is some of the most accessible jazz I have heard in a while and I don't mean that in a despairing way. The melodies jump out in the album opener "Across The Dead Sea", along with wonderful trumpet and sax solos, and in the catchy "Alias" where again the old school yet modern sound is incredibly ear catching. The busy drum work of Keith Killgo deserves special mention. The sultry vocals of Lori Williams appear on tracks three and nine, the former having a romantic tone while the latter having an easy flowing rhythmic groove and an outstanding bass solo from Saltman.
Almost would almost certainly be a great album for the uninitiated while offering quality jazz for the veteran listener as well. It's a win win situation.
Track Listing:
1. Across The Dead Sea (5:59)
2. Alias (5:46)
3. What Is This Thing Called Love (5:24)
4. Almost (5:19)
5. I Remember Yusef (5:51)
6. This Is New (4:17)
7. Mcarthur (6:30)
8. Behind The Wall (5:55)
9. September In The Rain (6:01)
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Pianist William Knowles and bassist Mark Saltman have been playing together for just shy of twenty years. There latest release Almost comes five years after the release of Yesterday's Man in 2011 and the death of their drummer Jimmy Junebug Jackson. Understandably they took some time off and they sound more rejuvenated than ever. The songs have great grooves and stellar musicianship and even though the tasteful solos pack plenty of punch, this is some of the most accessible jazz I have heard in a while and I don't mean that in a despairing way. The melodies jump out in the album opener "Across The Dead Sea", along with wonderful trumpet and sax solos, and in the catchy "Alias" where again the old school yet modern sound is incredibly ear catching. The busy drum work of Keith Killgo deserves special mention. The sultry vocals of Lori Williams appear on tracks three and nine, the former having a romantic tone while the latter having an easy flowing rhythmic groove and an outstanding bass solo from Saltman.
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