Postagreement Northern Irish Literature Lost in a Liminal Space

Birth of a great new band, captured live at New York’s celebrated Village Vanguard, with repertoire emphasizing Paul Motian’s wonderful ballad writing. New Motian tunes are juxtaposed with “Bird Song” (from “Tati”) and “Drum Music” and “Abacus” (first heard on Paul’s now legendary album “Le Voyage”). A free exploration of Irving Berlin’s “Be Careful It’s My Heart” completes a programme distinguished by gloriously supple playing from all three participants who are in tune at a high level. Or, as the New York Times noted, reviewing the concerts from which this album was drawn: “The accumulated wisdom within the band was clear.”

Bassist Buster Williams contributed eight of the nine selections (all but the standard "I Thought About You") for this well-conceived set of advanced straight-ahead jazz. Williams (who had recently turned 50) teams up with vibraphonist Stefon Harris, pianist Geri Allen and drummer Lenny White. Harris is mostly the lead voice and the group does sound at times a little like the Modern Jazz Quartet, due to the identical instrumentation. Williams takes a surprisingly effective vocal on his "Why Should I Pretend" and otherwise is mostly in the background behind Harris and Allen. Due to the excellent originals, this is one of Buster Williams' strongest dates as a leader.