Search - Various Artists :: Atl Jazz: Piano

88 Keys - 16 Master Locksmiths

Anthony G Pizza | FL | 02/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a first-class anthology of pianists who recorded for Atlantic Records the first 35 years of its history. It also serves as tribute to two legendary producers, Nesuhi Ertegun (brother of label founder Ahmet) and Joel Dorn, who respectively produced most of the tracks.Highlights include Ray Charles' gospel/R&B "Sweet Sixteen Bars," Thelonius Monk (w/Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers) on the swinging "In Walked Bud," Junior Mance's jaunty, slowed down "Sweet Georgia Brown" from 1966, McCoy Tyner and some John Coltrane sidemen on Coltrane's "Lady Bird," and Erroll Garner's elegant rendition of Jerome Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight," from 1950. The best compliment to pay this collection is, unlike most piano compilations and even single performer piano albums, it is piano for contemplation, not totally relaxation."