Purpose
Away from the New York jazz scene for a couple years, bassist supreme Curtis Lundy returns, perhaps stronger than ever, withPurpose. A superior recording to Lundy's 1999 album,Against All Odds(which suffered from a weak rhythm section and lack of focus), Lundy surrounds himself here with excellent players who support his songs with wonderful interplay and outstanding solos. Drummer Billy Hart and tenor player Mark Shim bring a celestial feel to many of Lundy's soulful songs, while pianist John Hicks and vibraphonist Steve Nelson add the icing. There is not a weak track anywhere on this diverse outing, though occasionally lack of rehearsal makes the band work harder than they otherwise might, as in "Two Heartaches," where Hart rescues the take with a quick wit that both propels the musicians and establishes a seamless rhythmic web. With the media reporting jazz's premature extinction, it is great to hear this survivor playing such beautiful music.--Ken Micallef