Search - Eddie Daniels :: Memos From Paradise

"Breakthrough" follow-up approaches the same heights

J. Levinson | Media, PA USA | 06/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After his 1986 "Breakthrough" masterpiece, Eddie Daniels leapt again into third stream jazz on this album released in 1988, playing music mostly composed by keyboardist Roger Kellaway, including the four-part "Memos from Paradise.", which moves often in the direction of chamber music. Kellaway also arranged all of the music, includings Eddie's composition "Dreaming". Most of the tunes feature a string quartet, which provides colorful contrast to Eddie's melodious warbling. "Spectralight" opens the program on an upbeat, with boppish passages that allowed Kellaway to use the clarinet and strings in the manner of a lead alto over a sax section, and Daniels is given ample space to improvise. Marimba (Dave Samuels), harp (Gloria Agostini), and percussion, replace the strings on "Eight Pointed Star", an impressionistic, low-key work that has hints of an Oriental tinge. Kellaway uses acoustic and electric pianos alternately, and a fine rhythm section of bassist Eddie Gomez and either Terry Clarke or Al Foster on drums provide support. Daniels' clarinet is the main voice throughout, displaying his virtuosity and improvising ability in equal measure."