Kenny+barron

Sambao is Kenny Barron's tribute to Brazilian music done his way. These original compositions by the peerless pianist combine jazz and samba in a modernistic way, with no copying of tunes from the master Antonio Carlos Jobim, and no hint of the populist Stan Getz approach due to the lack of a lead instrument, save Barron's attractive and inventive piano. He's accompanied by heavyweights of the Rio-cum-New York City scene, including guitarist Toninho Horta, bassist Nico Assumpção, and French-born percussionist Mino Cinelu. Barron's (and most people's) favorite jazz drummer Victor Lewis is included, reinforcing the rhythms expertly as usual.

Kenny Barron could easily go unidentified if some of the selections on this LP were played for a listener during a "blindfold test" – he sounds quite unrecognizable on the three numbers on which he plays electric piano. Barron, who is joined by electric bassist Bob Cranshaw, drummer Freddie Waits, and the colorful percussion of both Richard Landrum and Warren Smith on his five originals and one by Waits, utilizes electricity with intelligence and creativity. His songs are moody and complex yet somewhat accessible and this underrated set would certainly surprise some of his current fans. Barron is the main soloist on every selection while Landrum and Smith's versatile colors add a lot to the unusual session's value.

Kenny Barron has been a respected jazz pianist since the early '60s, but it wasn't until the mid-'70s that he began coming into his own as a composer; deftly working complex time signatures and mercurial melodies into seamlessly swinging numbers, agile sambas, and lovely ballads. Fifteen years on, Invitation finds Barron in full maturity as a writer and in the sympathetic company of tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore, bassist David Williams, and drummer Lewis Nash. Barron's democratic pen runs the gamut here as he distills Monk's angular jubilance on "And Then Again," produces one of his most beautiful ballads in "Dewdrop," and works a fine bossa nova groove on "Joanne Julia"…

Doug Raney is a brilliant guitarist whose style is firmly rooted in the bebop and classic modern jazz traditions. He has lived in Copenhagen for more than 30 years, shortly after he first visited the Danish capital during a duo tour with his father and famous guitarst, Jimmy Raney. Living in Denmark may have decreased his visibility to the American audience, but he has created a substantial body of thoughful, emotionally subtle, and powerful jazz and recorded for the Danish label Steeple Chase as well as the Japanese label Marshmallow Records. His latest Marshmallow CD is a delight! From the opening track "Oblivion," the listner is captivated by his warm tone, impeccable technique, flowing sense of swing, and a perfect balance of lyricism and emotion.