Geri Allen is perhaps the most celebrated jazz pianist of her generation, with a fleet, unforced technique, and the ability to move from tender to hard as nails as the mood requires. Her compositions can be disarmingly simple, but without sounding routine or familiar. Emerging as part of the 1980s Brooklyn jazz scene, she worked with Steve Coleman and Cassandra Wilson, and though Allen now plays more traditionally than the rest of the M-Base crew, she's kept a freewheeling improvisatory approach and an openness to R&B and rock approaches. Somewhere between the New Traditionalists and the post-fusion funkateers, Allen continues to chart her own course, and we're privileged to be along for the ride.
Tracks
1. Night's Shadow (Eli Fountain)
2. No. 3 (Lawrence Williams)
3. It's Good To Be Home Again (Lawrence Williams)
4. Batista's Groove (Marcus Balfgrave)
5. Night Of Power (for mi daughter Laila) (Geri Allen)
6. Our Gang (Robert Hurst)
7. Silence And Song/The Nurturer (Geri Allen)
8. Le Goo Wop (Geri Allen)
9. Lullaby Of Isfahn (Kenny Garrett)
MARCUS BELGRAVE trumpet, flugelhornKENNY GARRETT alto saxophone, straight-alto saxophoneGERI ALLEN pianoROBERT HURST bassJEFF WAITTS drumsELI FOUNTAIN percussionRecorded at Sound On Sound, New York, N.Y. on January 5 & 6, 1990Somethin'else/Blue Note 0777 7 95139 2 5
