Young at Heart
Drummer Tony Williams died suddenly, and tragically, in early 1997. His death struck hard, eliminating one of jazz rhythm's sharpest innovators since the 1950s. Williams first made his brilliance clear in the second greatMiles DavisQuintet of the early 1960s. He whirled like mad later, especially with his own jazz-rock fusion trio Lifetime. In between, he created rhythmic vapor trails behind Miles and increased the wobbly rhythmic ratio with artists likeEric Dolphy. Sadly, inYoung at Heart, we have his final recording. With Mulgrew Miller and Ira Coleman, Williams sounds as complex and hitting as ever. The tunes vary from standards ("On Green Dolphin Street" is the best here) to Williams's own tunes. Perhaps in honor of Williams, it sounds like the producer ofYoungmiked Williams so he sounded louder, sometimes even domineering. But he was undoubtedly superb, and he mixes well with an unusually tough-toned Miller on the keys.--Andrew Bartlett