Wynton Marsalis - The Magic Hour (2004)

The Magic Hour is Marsalis' first jazz ensemble studio recording since 1999's Marciac Suite. His last album was All Rise, an extended composition for big band, gospel choir and symphony orchestra. "All Rise was such a huge piece involving over two hundred people. I wanted to produce my next recording with a smaller group," says the trumpeter, who settled into Right Track Studios in New York for two days last June to record the new album. "I wanted to restate my basic love of jazz music in a quartet format," says Marsalis.

For his debut on this label, Wynton Marsalis gets back to basics with a small combo. Taking a break from his large-ensemble works like Blood on the Fields and All Rise, the trumpeter leads a quartet consisting of bassist Carlos Henriquez, pianist Eric Lewis, and drummer Ali Jackson. Labelmates Bobby McFerrin (who recorded with the trumpeter on the early '80s LP, The Young Lions) and Dianne Reeves join Marsalis on "Baby, I Love You" and "Feeling of Jazz." "Big Fat Hen" is peppered by a New Orleans-meets-Brazil second-line samba, while "Skippin'" is a Monkish riff tune with stop time. The title track, dedicated to the time when kids go to sleep, includes a melodic nod to "The Flight of the Bumblebee," a mid-tempo groove, a ballad and the Cuban clave. With the sterling production by younger brother Delfeayo, Wynton Marsalis starts off on a good foot. ~ Eugene Holley, Jr., Amazon.com.

Blue Note, 7243 5 91717 2 2, 2004

Recorded and Mixed 6^th & 7^th June, 2003 At Right Track Studios, New York City

Musicians:

Wynton Marsalis - Trumpet

Eric Lewis - Piano

Carlos Henriquez - Bass

Ali Muhammed Jackson - Drums

Dianne Reeves - Vocals (#1)

Bobby McFerrin - Vocals (#4)

Tracks

1. Feeling Of Jazz {Wynton Marsalis} (7:03)

2. You And Me {Wynton Marsalis} (4:50)

3. Free To Be {Wynton Marsalis} (8:40)

4. Baby, I Love You {Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin} (5:20)

5. Big Fat Hen {Wynton Marsalis} (7:31)

6. Skipping {Wynton Marsalis} (8:01)

7. Sophie Rose-Rosalee {Wynton Marsalis} (6:47)

8. The Magic Hour {Wynton Marsalis} (13:14)

Credits:

Producer - Delfeayo Marsalis

Recording - Patrick Smith (Right Track Studios, NYC)

Mixing - Daniel Kresco (Glenwood Studios, Burbank, CA)

Mastering - Daryl Dickerson (Artistic Studios, New Orleans, LA)

Art Direction, Package Design - Burton Yount

Art Direction, Illustrations - Rachel Salomon