Backed by a swinging trio consisting of Joel Weiskopf on piano, Essiet Okon Essiet on bass and the well-known Bill Stewart on drums, tenor saxophonist Bob Kenmotsu delightfully dances his way through four originals and four standards in this generally hard driving set. Stewart, of course, is superb in the driver's seat, egging the group on. You can hear traces of Coltrane, and even Hank Mobley in Kenmotsu's horn, but he is clearly molding his own style. While Kenmotsu seems a tad less comfortable on the slower pieces, and his solos less adventurous, he is willing to take chances when the tempo picks up. His takes of standards such as "My Shining Hour," "Love Letters" and "On Green Dolphin Street" are different and worth hearing. While this recording is clearly in the tradition, it hints at something more, and largely succeeds on its own terms. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG.
Amosaya Records, AM-2529, 1997
Recorded 29th January, 1997
Brooklyn, New York
Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax
Flute
Joel Weiskopf - Piano
Essiet Okon Essiet - Bass
Bill Stewart - Drums
Tracks:
1. Turtle Time {Robert
Kenmotsu} (7:13)
2. Dance Of The Heart {Robert
Kenmotsu} (5:07)
3. My Shining Hour {Harold
Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (6:29)
4. Love Letters {Edward
Heyman, Victor Young} (6:46)
5. On Green Dolphin Street
{Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (10:06)
6. Blue In Green {Miles
Davis, Bill Evans} (9:35)
7. When We Are All Alone
{Robert Kenmotsu} (6:20)
8. Looking At Air {Robert
Kenmotsu} (6:31)
Total Time: 58:13
Credits:
Producer - Robert Kenmotsu
Recording Engineer - Michael
Brophy
Digital Assembly - Ed Ulloa
Mastering Engineer - George
Horn [Fantasy Studios]
Cover Photo - Junko Kenmotsu
Graphic Design - Elena Welch
