A Jazz Album in Celebration of the Traditional Hymn
05/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Spirituals & Dedications reflects influences both temporal and cosmic. This leaderless, collective album unites the Toronto-based flutist-saxophonist, Jane Bunnett, with friends old and new: husband-producer Larry Cramer, on trumpet; the influential and underrated pianist Stanley Cowell; Dewey Redman, the legendary avant-garde saxophonist; the expressive vocalist Dean Bowman, who helped spark Bunnett's wonderful Ritmo + Soul album of 2000; Canadian bassist Kieran Owens, who has worked with Bunnett and Cramer off and on since 1990; and drummer Mark McLean, the newest member of Bunnett's eclectic circle. Since each has helped the other in numerous projects, it was only natural all would converge on an album that resonates so deeply and joyously-and with a unique symmetry."