Last year, Steve Nelson toured around and recorded with Jeremy Pelt’s hard bopping quintet. On this album Nelson bids Pelt adieu and takes the leadership reigns with the same outfit of Danny Grissett/p, Peter Washington/b and Lewis Nash/dr, producing a strong collection that mixes standards and originals, mostly composed by the departed piano giant and friend, Mulgrew Miller.
Seven tunes penned by Miller are present here, and they are all quite strong. “Grew’s Time” is sleek and serene in its sophistication, as vibes and piano mingle together without getting the laces tied together, and “Souls-Leo” is a rich melodic with Nelson’s vibes hovering with a rich tone. Some sizzling Brazilia is delivered on “For Those Who Do,” while the kinetic “New Wheels” is a joyful white knuckler. As with all vibists, the best material is when everyone takes a deep breath, and the calmly swinging “The More I See You” and the stellar ballad “It Never Entered My Mind” allow the sticks do all of the talking, letting the chimes resonate like direction markers to the next note. Lovely and classy.
High Note Records