A more fitting title to the latest CD from jazz guitar veteran John Abercrombie should be 'wait till you hear her', as he and his Quartet of Mark Feldman (violin), Thomas Morgan (double-bass), and Joey Baron (drums) have come up with a cornucopia of intoxicating sounds on their newest release for ECM Records. Eight tracks of sheer beauty, Wait Till You See Her is at its core a stunning jazz release, but dig deep and you'll hear elements of world music, gypsy folk, and chamber fusion, all rolled up into one. The history of guitarist Abercrombie is long and storied; he's played with some of the best in the business over the last 40 years, and has recorded on more than 40 albums for ECM alone. Over the last decade he has dedicated much of his time to the Quartet, and the results here show a band that is completely locked in, brimming with confidence, and oozing creativity.
Just hearing Abercrombie trading licks and weaving lines with Feldman is worth the price of admission alone. John's sinewy solos mingle with Mark's soaring violin melodies on the engaging "Line-Up", and the two will bring a tear to your eye on the heartwarming, emotional title track. This is tasty, melodic playing at its best. Meanwhile, Abercrombie, Morgan, and Baron dig down deep on the near be-bop of "Trio", complete with some mesmerizing solos from all three players, and the lengthy "Anniversary Waltz" holds some thrilling moments, almost like a cross between vintage Pat Metheny and the great Oregon. Feldman's dizzying leads soar through the heavens on this one, interrupted briefly by some melodic bass lines from Morgan. "Out of Towner" sees the Quartet taking on a more jovial tone, and closer " Chic Of Araby" has a darker, more majestic flavor, complete with some thunderous drum fills from Baron echoing in the distance while Feldman's violin weeps and moans.
Wait Till You See Her is from start to finish positively spellbinding music. Utilizing elements that cross into multiple genres, the John Abercrombie Quartet have come up with one of 2009's most startlingly original, daring, and ultimately beautiful jazz related releases.
Track Listing
1. Sad Song 7:13
2. Line-Up 7:16
3. Wait Till You See Her 5:41
4. Trio 5:10
5. I've Overlooked Before 7:29
6. Anniversary Waltz 9:26
7. Out Of Towner 6:12
8. Chic Of Araby 8:23
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