Efrata Denny

The pinnacle of Denny's career, Hypnotique earns a place in history for its achingly beautiful jacket design alone. The same photo shoot also yielded the cover photo for the Denny-produced "Exotic Dreams" by singer Ethel Azama. The music of Hypnotique is just as compelling, producing an effect that certainly must be described as hypnotic, if not occasionally feverish. This can be partially attributed to the help of guests Barbara Smith, John Mechigashari, and Bud Lee on various Japanese instruments. …

This enjoyable effort, one of pianist Denny Zeitlin's infrequent recordings, has four trio selections recorded with bassist Joel DiBartolo and drummer Peter Donald (the other performances from the same sessions comprise Zeitlin's earlier Windham Hill Jazz release Trio) plus four 1989 duets with bassist David Friesen. Six Zeitlin originals are joined by Friesen's "Underlying," Ornette Coleman's obscure "Broadway Blues" and the standard "Blues In The Night." Harmonically advanced and thought-provoking yet mostly swinging music. ~Scott Yanow, allmusic.com

Very hip piano trio work – the first Columbia album by Denny Zeitlin, a young fresh talent in the 60s, with an approach that was lyrical, slightly modern, and a bit soulful. The album features a great rhythm section of Cecil McBee on bass and Freddy Waits on drums. Most tunes are originals by Zeitlin – and titles include "Stonehenge", "Cathexis", "I Thou", "Blue Phoenix", and "Nica's Tempo". (Source: Dusty Groove America, Inc.)