Search - Derek Smith :: High Energy

What excitement this cd has created with me, awesome

Philip Scott | U.S.A. | 03/31/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"What i'm wondering is how one individual can have soo much talent packed into a body. Everytime I hear one of Derek's performances i'm blown away. This man has got to be one of the best jazz pianist around.For this project, Derek was his usual brilliant self. He came up with some dynimate arrangments and keep me entertained for almost an hour. His performances have just about left me speechless.The only complainet I have about this cd was the repertoire. There were a few songs that I didn't like. Even on the disliked songs Derek did a great job of playing them. The repertoire being performed is the only reason for not giving this cd a higher rating.Recommendation: Please buy this cd to see what a legend sounds like."

This Trio Cooks!!!

Norman Zierler | New Hartford, NY United States | 01/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have just about everything Derek Smith has recorded, both as a leader and sideman. This is his best CD, and that's saying quite a bit because his other recordings are terrific. He kicks it off with a great two handed solo introduction to Like Someone in Love and then takes off with a brisk 4/4 as bassist Nicki Parrott and Joe Ascione blaze along. Throughout the album, Parrott and Ascione provide hand in glove accompaniment, knowing when to turn up the burners and when to back Derek delicately. The choice of compositions is impeccable, from jazz standards (such as Doxy, On Green Dolphin Street, St. Thomas) to timeless classics (including How Deep is the Ocean, Alone Together, Here's That Rainy Day, Let's Fall in Love, I Love You, and Teach Me Tonight). This album offers a wonderful mixture of ballads and cookers. The highlight for me was the closing calypso St. Thomas, which would have composer Sonny Rollins shaking his hips and snapping his fingers. Derek Smith is beyond classification. He can play with the best of the boppers, such as Bud Powell, Phineas Newborn,and Hampton Hawes, and swingers such as Oscar Peterson, Eddie Higgins, and Dick Hyman, while his feel and taste on ballads is incredibly sensitive. High Energy is worthy of the highest praise. BRAVO!!!"