Love the great sax masters - everyone has their top ten or so. Most on own my list have moved on but It's so great to have a real live young contemporary genius in our midst breaking new ground and way way up there on my list. Must agree with Bflat - this is music that will live on. Great playing and compositions. I just keep listening to this over and over and it's doesn't get old - that's when you know it's good!
Smith and company really impress here. With the great Jason Moran on piano they achieve a coherent group sound. Smith is a man to watch.
The nicely titled third release under his own name, III, is stellar and glittering in serious fun, with Smith on tenor, Akinmusire on trumpet, Moran on piano, Sanders on bass, Harland on drums, and Richardson on alto. They all contribute in such tasteful way making this a close working group. I am particularly thrilled with Walter's playing. It has matured mightily from his last release, Live In Paris, which is on my desert island list. Walter reveals a sweeping view of musical transport in the compositions. Working Title and Capital Wasteland will remain long in your inner ear. Walter's phrasing gets more exquisite with each release. Should humans exist 100 years from now, Walter Smith III and Ambrose Akinmusire will be remembered alongside Coltrane and Davis. The difference is that, today, Walter and Ambrose are living, breathing, working masters. Exciting. Catch them live.
