Best known for his work with Terence Blanchard, drummer Kendrick Scott has quietly built up an impressive catalogue of his own as a leader. This latest one is most intriguing, as it reveals a spiritual journey that seems yet to be completed, but is fervently in the pilgrim’s heart. He brings together a team of Joe Sanders/b, Taylor Eigsti/p (when IS he going to put another disc out?!?), Mike Moreno/g, John Ellis/ts-bc and Alan Hampton/voc-g on a collection of material that is, while dedicated to his Creator, is not quite his Savior. An opening “Pendulum” brings forth the famous prayer by St. Francis of Assisi asking “to understand rather than be understood,’ while the penultimate “Be Water” includes Eastern desires to be one as water is with its pitcher. In between, the music goes from prayer piano ruminations to delicately thought out meditations on bass clarinet, bass and drums. Much of the time, you feel like you’re taking part in a personal quiet time between a searching soul and his God. Even a drum solo is more liturgical than cathartic here, with a piece like “Herbie Hancock’s “I Have A Dream” reflecting more in the context of this session. As Augustine once said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest with Thee,” and Scott is searching for that rest on this deeply personal and impressive collection.
Concord Jazz Records
www.concordmusicgroup.com