Search - Donald Harrison :: Heroes

Harrison's best

Rob Watkins | Augusta, Georgia United States | 06/03/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"mr. harrison is an inexplicably obscure tenor player, with this album begging the question, why has no one noticed it? this session is a trio outing with ron carter (bass) and billy cobham (drums) joining mr. harrison. the music is reflective of sonny rollins' work from the early 60s, but stands on its own as highly original and progressive. the trio setting gives mr. harrison ample room for his solo explorations. he reveals a semi-free approach, but one that remains firmly rooted in melody and harmony. he expands and deepens themes rather than obliterating them, allowing one to truly experience the story each tune is trying to tell. most tracks are originals, but a couple of standards are exceptional. mr. harrison slows "my funny valentine" down to a dirge, but one that is more haunting than harrowing, and he completely reworks monk's "straight, no chaser" revelling in the monkish angularity with a thoroughly contemporary recasting that i am sure would have made mr. monk proud.this is a great set. buy it before it vanishes into oblivion!"