Donald Brown is a phenomenal composer in his own right, but he primarily concentrates on overlooked gems during these 1998 sessions. He's joined by alto saxophonist Bill Easley (who doubles on clarinet and flute), trumpeter and flügelhornist Stephane Belmondo, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Essiet Essiet, and drummer Billy Higgins. Brown's imaginative scoring of Billy Strayhorn's gorgeous ballad "Day Dream" showcases Nelson's sparse vibes and Easley's lyrical clarinet. Thad Jones' "Quiet Lady," one of many treasures that awaits discovery by the jazz world, is an easygoing waltz with crisp brushwork by Higgins. Duke Pearson, another neglected composer, is represented with a driving rendition of "Big Bertha," a piece that could easily have been a part of Brown's repertoire while he was music director for Art Blakey. Easley's haunting flute is backed solely by Brown's thoughtful piano in a brilliant arrangement of Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain," which also spotlights Belmondo's rich flügelhorn. The one standard of the date is a snappy cover of "Like Someone in Love." Donald Brown also contributed three originals, with the upbeat "Enchanté!" especially standing out. Fans of this veteran pianist should snap up this French CD without hesitation. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.
Space Time Records, BG 9910, 1998
Recorded 12th & 13th
January, 1998 at Avatar Studios, New York City
Musicians:
Donald Brown - Piano,
Arranger, Composer
Stéphane Belmondo - Trumpet,
Flugelhorn
Bill Easley - Alto Saxophone,
Clarinet, Flute
Steve Nelson - Vibraphone
Mark Boling - Guitar, Guitar
[Electric]
Essiet Essiet - Bass
Billy Higgins - Drums
Daniel Sadownick - Percussion
Tracks:
01. Strangers In Paradise
{Donald Brown} (9:47)
02. Diane {Lew Pollack, Erno
Rapee} (8:55)
03. Day Dream {Duke
Ellington, John Latouche, Billy Strayhorn} (6:50)
04. Quiet Lady {Thad Jones}
(4:54)
05. A Dance For Marie-Do
{Donald Brown} (6:10)
06. You're Looking At Me
{Bobby Troup} (8:26)
07. Big Bertha {Duke Pearson}
(7:16)
08. Don't Explain {Billie
Holiday} (8:13)
09. Like Someone In Love
{James Van Heusen} (6:52)
10. Enchanté! {Donald Brown}
(7:04)
Total Time: 74:27
Credits:
Producer - Donald Brown
Production Coordination -
Xavier Felgeyrolles
Executive Producer - Walter
Squindo
Engineer - Jim Anderson
Mastering - Raphaël Jonin
Mixing - Allan Tucker
