Search - Jaleel Shaw :: Perspective

Shaw's Opening Statement

Anthony R. Guarriello | Rutherfordton NC | 06/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perspective is the debut album by alto saxman Jaleel Shaw a Philly born Berklee educated forward thinking jazz musician who in my humble opinion is one of the more creative alto saxophonists to come along since Kenny Garrett. Shaw has been a fixture on the NYC jazz scene since early 2000 as a member of the Mingus Big Band, he's also done stints with the Ether Orchestra & is currently a member of Roy Haynes band as well as leading his own trio in club appearances around NYC. This album is a highly creative set of modern jazz composed by Shaw with one Coltrane piece Grand Central which in my opinion is a awesome but overlooked bop gem. The album features performances by Shaw's peers on the NYC scene. Pianist Robert Glasper is forging a new jazz piano style based as much on hip hop & soul as much as bop & modern jazz, he shines brightly on this album putting down thoughtful support for the soloists & taking many stand out solos of his own. On guitar is Lage Lund a great new young guitarist with a Bill Evans like command of harmony and chord voicings, Lund also co composed some of the tunes here as well. Bassist Vicente Archer lays down a rock solid foundation with a fat sound & a steady driving swing much like Sam Jones did in Cannonball Adderley's bands. Rounding out the rhythm section is drummer Johnathan Blake also of Philly, he & Shaw have known eachother & played together since they were teenagers, this synergy is evident from the first track Heavy Weight Champion a driving postbop tune that won Shaw an ASCAP young jazz composers award in 2004, this tune features burning solos by alto,guitar & piano & is one of my personal favorites. Binky's Lament is a mellow waltz time piece co written by Lage Lund that features a nice melodic solo bass intro by Archer, the groove reminds me alot of Coltrane's Equinox, everyone gets a turn to blow starting off with the guitar Lund takes a well paced solo followed by Glasper on piano. On a Humble is a swinging medium tempo piece with the melody stated in unison by alto & guitar, each member solos fairly long allowing time to stretch out Shaw & Lund take the piece out with some sanctified blues exchanges. Miss Myriam is a long medium ballad with a tinge of latin in the rhythm section. Conflicts of Interest is a up tempo playful piece opening with Blake & Shaw in tandem, Shaw really blows on this one. Lageluge is a mellow interlude of sorts co written with Lund drawing greatly from R&B with Blakes slamming kick drum & crisp rim shots. Coltrane's Grand Central is one I find myself returning to often, here tenor saxman Mark Turner joins Shaw on the front line revisiting the format Coltrane used when he recorded the tune with Cannonball on Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago with John Coltrane. The Future Just Passed is a flowing ballard who's melody sounds alot like Richie Valens Donna don't know if that was intentional or not but just listen. The album closes out with another interlude Leellude which is short & sweet & very mellow. Well that concludes this review I hope I'v provided a useful guide to this great work. I highly recommend you give Jaleel Shaw a listen, also check out his newest album Optimism."