Joshua Redman: Beyond (Warner Bros. 9 47465-2).

Joshua Redman: Beyond (Warner Bros. 9 47465-2)

There are recordings that take a while to grow on you, then there are recordings that capture your imagination on first hearing; Beyond, by young saxophonist Joshua Redman, is a prime example of the latter. Man, this is one fine recording! I have tried to analyze just what it is about Redman's playing that is so persuasive, but I can't quite put my finger on it. He just seems to have a knack for melody, and his solos seem to take little twists and turns that are always delightful. Another quality of his music is that many of his compositions have a song-like quality about them. Even his more abstract compositions seem to have a tune to them, or snatches of tunes running through them, giving them a communicative feel. Granted, that's a pretty weak stab at musical analysis, but the point is, this guy's just a natural on the saxophone.

On Beyond, Redman fronts a tight band that includes Aaron Goldberg on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass, and Gregory Hutchinson on drums. Tenor saxophonist Mark Turner joins the group on one cut, the burning "Leap of Faith." All the cuts are Redman compositions, and except for his back-and-forth (really more of a side-by-side) with Turner, he is pretty well the featured musician throughout. His sidemen provide good accompaniment, but never really take the spotlight. This might sound like a recipe for musical boredom, but Redman and his cohort just settle into a groove and play the music, and the music carries the day. From the opening notes of the opening cut, "Courage (Asymmetric Aria)," it's all good stuff. There's not a weak cut on the CD; special highlights include the interplay between Redman and Turner on "Leap of Faith" and the somewhat exotic atmosphere on the provocatively titled "Last Rites of Rock `N' Roll." The sound quality is excellent, not at all bright or hard, and overall this is one of the most exuberantly enjoyable jazz albums to come down the pike in quite a while. -- KWN