Lullaby For Emmeline

Recorded shortly before his triumphant return to the United States after a dozen years overseas, this Dexter Gordon album features him in a surprisingly sparse setting, accompanied only by bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel. Whether it be the humorous melody "Nursery Blues," Pedersen's title cut or the four jazz standards (of which "Good Bait" was first released on this CD reissue), he is up to the challenge and his lengthy solos never lose one's interest.

Lullaby for the Moon presents Japanese contemporary works for koto and shakuhachi based on traditional folksongs (1. Komoroiuta, 6. Sakura, and 7. Kojo), as well as some original ones, including a piece for 2 shakuhachis. The CD ends with one of the most known pieces of the Japanese classical repertoire: "Chidori" (known also as "Chidori no Kyoku"), written around 1750. A large group of excellent musicians were selected for this CD, including one of today's most known and best shakuhachi musicians: Hozan Yamamoto. This excellent CD presents a music of high meditative quality.