Donald Harrison, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham - Heroes (2004)

Donald Harrison, who gained his initial recognition in the 1980s when he was with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and co-led a band with Terence Blanchard, has continued growing and evolving ever since that time. Though underrated, he is currently at the peak of his powers. Harrison worked with bassist Ron Carter, drummer Billy Cobham, and pianist James Williams in a 2002 quartet called the Art of Four. He reunites with Carter and Cobham for five selections on Heroes and also engages in three duets with the bassist. Whether it is a minor blues ("One of a Kind"), the "I Got Rhythm" chords of "Double Trouble," "Solar," or the melancholy "Candlelight," Harrison shows that he is a superior post-bop improviser with a sound of his own. The final three selections, listed as "bonus tracks," have Harrison performing a funk piece, a calypso, and a mistitled Thelonious Monk tune ("Well, You Needn't" is listed as "Straight, No Chaser") in spirited fashion with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer John Lamkin. This CD is one of Donald Harrison's most rewarding showcases to date and is highly recommended. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Nagel Heyer Records, nagel heyer 2041, 2004
Recorded 1st & 2nd December, 2002 at Avatar Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison - Alto Saxophone
Ron Carter - Bass
Billy Cobham - Drums
Vicente Archer - Bass (#9-11)
John Lamkin - Drums (#9-11) 

Tracks:
01. Heroes {Donald Harrison} (6:14)
02. Blues For The New Millennium {Donald Harrison} (4:12)
03. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (8:12)
04. One Of A Kind {Donald Harrison} (5:53)
05. Double Trouble {Donald Harrison, Ron Carter} (8:01)
06. Receipt Please {Ron Carter} (5:59)
07. Candlelight {Ron Carter} (6:33)
08. Solar {Miles Davis} (3:57)
09. Free Style {Donald Harrison} (4:43) *
10. Iko Iko {James Crawford} (3:11) *
11. Well, You Needn't {Thelonious Monk} (8:06) * 

Total Time: 65:06 

 * Bonus Tracks 

Credits:
Producer, Photos - Frank Nagel-Heyer
Recording Engineer - Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer - Aya Takemura
Mastering, Mixing - Florian Sommer
Cover - Woellergestaltung, Hamburg
Liner Notes - Ted Panken 

Heroes