Detroit based pianist Kirk Lightsey carries on the tradition of pianists from the Motor City like Tommy Flanagan and Barry Harris on this gorgeous and emotive solo tribute album. Like all great artists of his era, he has an allegiance to stride with a healthy mix of Bud Powell, with a strong left hand on pieces like a Monkish “Fee-Fi-Fo_Fum”, also able to go impressionistic, as on the Debussyesque salute “Goodbye Mr. Evans.” He gets deep tones and patiently uses space and resonance on “Pee Wee” and agonizes with the pedals on the title piece. He’s crystalline and elliptical on “Wild Flower” and even shows a bit of twinkle in his eye, giving a gentle and pastoral read of John Coltrane’s usually torrid hard bop gauntlet runner “Giant Steps”. This is music in the hands of a true master.
Jojo Records