CD ECM Records Steve Kuhn: Mostly Coltrane

2008

Steve Kuhn - pian
David Finck - contrabas
Joey Baron - tobe
Joe Lovano - saxofon tenor, taragot


Jazzman, Choc du mois
Classica, Choc du mois
Fono Forum, Empfehlung des Monats
Stereoplay, Jazz-CD des Monats
Piano News, Jazz-CD des Doppelmonats

There’s beauty and wisdom in nearly every note Steve Kuhn plays. That can happen when a pianist spends quality time with the likes of Stan Getz, Art Farmer and, for three eventful months in 1960, John Coltrane. Kuhn’s latest for ECM, Mostly Coltrane, is in part a fond look back. But it’s also simply an extension of the creative streak Kuhn’s been documenting on various labels for years. … Mostly Coltrane honors the late sax legend with music of a picturesque, distinctly Kuhnian kind.
David R. Adler, TimeOut New York

Steve Kuhn’s moving tribute to the legendary saxophonist is fuelled by insider knowledge… Kuhn’s light touch and suspended harmonies differ from the fire-and-brimstone spirituality of the final model, but still capture the intensity, mixing classics, standards and two posthumously released late-period originals. Saxophonist Joe Lovano contributes his trademark trenchant lyricism, drummer Joey Baron adds clarity and the CD grows in stature with each listen.
Mike Hobart, Financial Times

Kuhn and Lovano have deep Coltrane connections. Kuhn played in Coltrane’s quartet in 1960, and Lovano long ago internalized Coltrane’s language. The fascination of this album is to hear them, in their maturity, venture in and out of Coltrane’s spiritual domain, drawing inspiration for their own spontaneous testaments and their own attitudes, which reflect more acceptance and less striving.
Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes

This album of nine Trane compositions, two standards and two Kuhn originals, is his tribute to arguably the most influential saxophonist in post-bop jazz. Lovano is not one of those who took only Trane’s freedom and intensity and turned them into circus acts of rapidly blown blathers of notes: here he evokes the essence of Trane’s music, which had at its core a sincere, sensitive emotional component that many fans missed beneath the surface turmoil. The arrangements demonstrate just how beautiful many of Trane’s tunes were.
Barry Witherden, BBC Music Magazine

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