Beyond
In the early years of his career, saxophonist Joshua Redman at times seemed burdened by expectations raised by record-label hype he knew was only partly justified.Beyondmarks his emergence as a fully mature artist. The album includes some of Redman's strongest playing--the gorgeous ballad "Neverend," the slow-building tenor exchange with longtime friendMark Turneron "Leap of Faith," the tongue-in-cheek grave dance on "Last Rites of Rock 'n' Roll." It also includes some of his most ambitious writing--the 13/4 time signature on "Courage," the 9/4 "Lopsided Lullaby," the 10/4 "Suspended Emanations." Redman's quartet with pianistAaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson displays the immediate, organic swing of a real touring band. One complaint, however: at 73 minutes, the album is two or three tracks too long. Whatever happened to the idea of saving a few choice outtakes for the inevitable career rediscovery 30 years from now?--Rick Mitchell