A new album by alto saxist Kenny Garrett is always a reason to celebrate, as it is sure to include fresh ideas, creative soloing and a look into the brilliant mind of an artist. Garrett doesn’t disappoint on this outing, playing not only alto sax, but a bit of electric/acoustic piano with his core team of Vernell Brown, Jr/p, Corcoran Holt/b, Ronald Bruner/dr, Rudy Bird/perc and a collection of guests.
Most of the cameo appearances occur on the large ensemble tribute to Roy Hargrove, a soulful “Hargrove” that lilts with Garret locking in with trumpeter Maurice Brown and lovely vocal harmonies produced by Linny Smith, Sheherezade Holman and Chris Ashley Anthony. Some earthy Africana comes into play with Garrett hitting the subtones over the percussion addition of Dreiser Durruthy on the pulsating “It’s Time To Come Home” along with Lenny White’s snare as Garrett cries out on the tribal beat and Dwight Trible’s chanting on “Soldats des Champs” Three member drum team is crisp and crackling for Garret and Brown on the upbeat “Soldiers of the Field” while the latter stretches out on the modal groovy by Holt and Bruner on “What Was That”? A gospel feel is uplifting with Garrett on electric piano teaming with Johnny Mercier’s organ on “When The Days Were Different” and Bruner works overtime on the bopping strut of “For Art’s Sake”. Garrett covers all the bases on this home run.