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| 5.673 Ft
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| 1. | The Legendary Profile
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| 2. | Valeria
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| 3. | Misty Roses
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| 4. | The Martyr
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| 5. | What Now My Love (Et Maintenant)
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| 6. | Romance
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Jazz / Cool, Third Stream
The Modern Jazz Quartet
Connie Kay Musician, Drums
John G. Lewis Piano, Musician, Piano (Electric)
Milt Jackson Vibraphone, Musician
Percy Heath Bass, Musician
This is an MJQ album that, for most fans, is somewhat off their beaten path. At a time when they had left Apple records, returning to the Atlantic label, and when fusion was just getting started, the group incorporates more Brazilian music in the mix, and John Lewis plays Fender Rhodes electric piano on two tracks. While their laid-back, mellow, chamber like sound is very much intact, the rules of sonic preparation had changed, and the band followed in kind. Drummer Connie Kay even adds a bit of R&B funk to the proceedings, as on the chunky opener, the title track, which is very atypical for the group. One of two Lewis originals, "Valeria" is a light bossa nova, energized as it goes along, while the absolute beauty of "Romance" is marinated in a free floater to waltz pace with accenting cymbal zings -- the perfect candlelight and wine dinner music. Milt Jackson's work on vibes never wavered over the years since his early bop days in Detroit, and he sounds as good as ever throughout the proceedings. The tracks where Lewis plays Rhodes include a long, tender, Latin flavored version of Tim Hardin's "Misty Roses" in as foggy a mood as possible, and the shimmering ballad of Jackson's "The Martyr" where overtly cascading bells from Kay turn the piece completely atmospheric. Covering the pop song "What Now My Love?," in demure shades of late-night Rio, is in their comfort zone, but not the most substantive tune they have ever interpreted. There are two major issues -- the CD tracks in at budget price zone, under 36 minutes with no alternate takes or additional tracks, and the drummer's name is misspelled twice as "Connie Ray", an inexcusable error. Not an essential item in their catalog, this is reserved strictly for completists. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
The Modern Jazz Quartet
Active Decades: '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1952
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Bop, Cool, Third Stream
Pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Kenny Clarke first came together as the rhythm section of the 1946 Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra and they had occasional features that gave the overworked brass players a well-deserved rest. They next came together in 1951, recording as the Milt Jackson Quartet. In 1952, with Percy Heath taking Brown's place, the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) became a permanent group. Other than Connie Kay succeeding Clarke in 1955, the band's personnel was set. In the early days Jackson and Lewis both were equally responsible for the group's musical direction but the pianist eventually took over as musical director. The MJQ has long displayed John Lewis' musical vision, making jazz seem respectable by occasionally interacting with classical ensembles and playing concerts at prestigious venues, but always leaving plenty of space for bluesy and swinging improvising. Their repertoire, in addition to including veteran bop and swing pieces, introduced such originals as Lewis' "Django" and Jackson's "Bags' Groove." The group recorded for Prestige (1952-55), Atlantic (1956-74), Verve (1957), United Artists (1959) and Apple (1967-69) and, in addition to the many quartet outings, they welcomed such guests as Jimmy Giuffre, Sonny Rollins, the Beaux Arts String Quartet, a symphony orchestra conducted by Gunther Schuller, singer Diahann Carroll (on one piece), Laurindo Almeida, a big band and the Swingle Singers. Although the musicians all had opportunities to pursue individual projects, in 1974 Milt Jackson, tired of the constant touring and the limitations set on his improvising and he quit the group, causing the MJQ to have a final tour and break up. In 1981 Jackson relented and the Modern Jazz Quartet (which has recorded further albums for Pablo and Atlantic) became active again although on a more part-time basis. Connie Kay's health began to fade in the early '90s (Mickey Roker often filled in for him) and after his death in 1995, Albert "Tootie" Heath became his replacement.
--- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
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