Search - Cedar Walton :: Roots

Cedar Walton Revisited

Erik Werkman | Maarssen, The Netherlands | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just one year after recording his impeccable "Composer" album for the AstorPlace label, which featured new(er) songs composed by this masterful jazz composer and tasteful pianist, the same record label let him enter into the Rudy van Gelder Studio again for another winner with exclusively his own compositions. On this he revisits older material, which gets a completely fresh take in the hands of a band to die for: the rhythm section is made up of Ron Carter on bass and Lewis Nash on drums, who gel perfectly together with Cedar's piano playing. Behind them is a cracking ensemble to give more body to the sound, consisting of some six players (five on brass and reeds and one on percussion). On top Joshua Redman, Terence Blanchard and Mark Whitfield are featured on three tunes each and they sound terrific and inspired, too. The recording quality is crisp on top, thanks to RvG's mastery. So there is only one conclusion: highly recommended and an incredible bargain!"