It’s easy to take a guy like vibist Gary Burton for granted. He’s been on the scene for decades, making gigs with Stan Getz and Chick Corea to put his name on the map. So why is he not up there in the “must see” artists? This latest disc asks that question in abundance; it’s the second time around for Julian Lage/g, Scott Colley/b and Antonio Sanchez/dr and they sound if anything even better than last year’s cooking release.
The front line of guitar and vibes works amazingly well; it’s light and elastic on driving pieces like “Caminos” and “The Lookout” which feature some wonderful drumming by Sanchez. Colley’s “Legacy” is a spacious and haunting thing of beauty, and the coy “Monk Fish” is a hoot. Lage is quickly becoming one of the guitarists to keep an eye on. His work here will make you want to find his solo albums; his solo on “Sunday’s Uncle” will get your blood boiling while the Iberian “Helena” shows how he stands out among his peers. As for Burton, as always the epitome of style, taste and class, things that are easy to take for granted until you listen to what most artists are barfing up these days. You’ll be glad you got this one.
Mack Avenue Jazz
www.garyburton.com