Bassist Ben Williams put out an impressive release a few years ago, with this being his second release sandwiching his touring with the likes of Pat Metheny. This time around his album sounds much more cohesive; everything seems to fit together like pieces of a puzzle with the core team of Marcus Strikland/ts-ss, Matthew Stevens/g, Masayuki Hirano-Christian Sands/p-key, John Davis/dr and Etienne Charles/perc. The tunes themselves are mostly subdued and subtly strong, all seeming to tie together into a tapestry of soulful jazz sounds.
A quartet of strings adds dimension on a glowing “The Color Of My Dreams” that features Williams veering back and forth with guest vibist Stefon Harris, as well as during “Lost and Found” that includes a muted trumpet from Christian Scott along with Sands’ sensitive piano work. The team sounds fairly Weather Reportish as Williams plugs in and Strickland delivers a rich tenor read on “Half Steppin’” and the band shows its bop chops on “Strenght and Beauty” while creating a daydreaming mood on “Black Villain Music.” Most intriguing, however are the songs associated with vocals; “Voice of Freedom (for Mandela) is a rich homily delivered by the gracious “Goapele” and W. Ellington Felton gives a thoughtful rap and R&B voice on “Toy Soldiers (Reprise)” while the original one is meditative and plaintive with Strickland’s soprano gliding gracefully.
Williams is more of a presence than a dominating force. Yes, he gives himself a spotlight on a sensitive read of Kurt Cobain’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” but mostly sets a tone of thoughtful contemplation that is able to rise up and charge when the need fits. A very mature and attractive outing. Gotta see this team in concert!
Concord Records