1975's quintet album SHADES features bassist Charlie Haden, saxophonist Dewey Redman, and dual percussionists Paul Motian and Guilherme Franco pushing Jarrett's typically serene piano style through four lengthy improvisations.
Pianist Keith Jarrett's mid-'70s quintet was the strongest regular group that he ever led and all of its recordings (even some that ramble a bit) are worth picking up. Thanks to its strong start, Shades is one of this unit's most rewarding recordings. "Shades of Jazz" has a memorable melody and logical (if unpredictable) improvisations by Jarrett and tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman. The momentum slows down a bit with the gospellish "Southern Smiles" and "Rose Petals" but picks up again with the final number, the rather intense "Diatribe," an excellent vehicle for this classic group. Throughout, bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Paul Motian and percussionist Guilherme Franco keep the band's juices flowing. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Shades Of Jazz
2. Southern Smiles
3. Rose Petals
4. Diatribe
KEITH JARRETT piano, percussion
CHARLIE HADEN bass
PAUL MOTIAN drums, percussion
GUILHERME FRANCO percussion
DEWEY REDMAN tenor saxophone, tambourine, maracas
Music composed by Keith Jarrett
Recorded at Generation Sound, NYC 1976
Impulse - ASD - 9322
Pianist Keith Jarrett's mid-'70s quintet was the strongest regular group that he ever led and all of its recordings (even some that ramble a bit) are worth picking up. Thanks to its strong start, Shades is one of this unit's most rewarding recordings. "Shades of Jazz" has a memorable melody and logical (if unpredictable) improvisations by Jarrett and tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman. The momentum slows down a bit with the gospellish "Southern Smiles" and "Rose Petals" but picks up again with the final number, the rather intense "Diatribe," an excellent vehicle for this classic group. Throughout, bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Paul Motian and percussionist Guilherme Franco keep the band's juices flowing. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. Shades Of Jazz
2. Southern Smiles
3. Rose Petals
4. Diatribe
KEITH JARRETT piano, percussion
CHARLIE HADEN bass
PAUL MOTIAN drums, percussion
GUILHERME FRANCO percussion
DEWEY REDMAN tenor saxophone, tambourine, maracas
Music composed by Keith Jarrett
Recorded at Generation Sound, NYC 1976
Impulse - ASD - 9322