All modern saxophonists stand in the shadow of John Coltrane, but that shadow must be overwhelming for his son, Ravi Coltrane. Ravi certainly opened himself up to criticism by pursuing the saxophone as his main instrument, but he was smart enough not to play in the style of his father, opting to follow the influence of straight-ahead hard boppers like Joe Henderson. It was a wise move, since Ravi has a rich, warm tone and deft style that makes his melodic, well-structured compositions all the more appealing. Moving Pictures, his debut record, is mainly comprised of originals, with covers of Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and Wayne Shorter songs thrown in for good measure. Working with drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and pianist Michael Cain, Coltrane achieves a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere on his first session. It may not offer anything new, but Moving Pictures is a promising debut from a young saxophonist who may have a lot to offer on his own terms. ~ by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG.
BMG / RCA VICTOR, 74321-55887-2,
1998
Recorded 15th-17th October,
1997 at Two Recording Studio, Brooklyn, New York
Musicians:
Ravi Coltrane - Tenor &
Soprano Saxes
Michael Cain - Piano
Lonnie Plaxico - Bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts - Drums
Special Guests:
Ralph Alessi - Trumpet
(#1,3,7,11)
Steve Coleman - Alto Sax
(#9,11)
Ancient Vibrations: (#1,6,11)
Junior "Gabu"
Wedderburn - Djembe [Lead]
Jeremiah McFarlane - Djembe
Clyde Wedderbum - Djun-Djun
Tracks:
01. Interlude - Thursday
{Ravi Coltrane} (2:33)
02. Narcine {Ravi Coltrane}
(9:20)
03. Tones For Jobe Kain {Ravi
Coltrane} (7:22)
04. In Three For Thee {Ravi
Coltrane} (5:05)
05. Peace {Horace Silver}
(5:39)
06. Search For Peace {McCoy
Tyner} (7:10)
07. Mixed Media {Ravi
Coltrane} (8:22)
08. High Windows {Ravi
Coltrane} (5:34)
09. Inner Urge {Joe
Henderson} (7:50)
10. When You Dream {Edgy Lee,
Wayne Shorter} (4:39)
11. Outerlude - Still
Thursday {Ravi Coltrane} (2:50)
Total Time: 66:28
Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Steve
Coleman
Assistant Producer - Sophia
Wong
Executive Producer - Daniel
Baumgarten
Engineer, Mixing - Joseph
Marciano
Assistant Engineer - Nancy
Marciano
Mixing, Liner Notes - Ravi
Coltrane
Mastering Engineer - Ted
Jensen
Photography - Jimmy Katz,
Darlene DeVita, Dorothy Low
Liner Notes - Amiri Baraka
