Search - Avery Sharpe :: Unspoken Words

Avery's playing speaks volumes

J. Levinson | Media, PA USA | 06/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Avery with McCoy Tyner and was impressed with his ability, particularly when he plugged in a six-string electric bass and propelled the jam into fusion territory. McCoy lends a hand here, giving Avery's progressive take on McCoy's "Blues On the Corner" the authentic piano foundation, while John Blake's violin textures add a tinge of Mahavishnu-style fusion to some tracks. Besides "Blues" and the Harbach-Kern standard "Yesterdays", the remaining compositions are all Sharpe's. His wordless vocal on the last tune, "Fresh Start", creates the fascinating contrast of primitive-sounding chant against progressive electric fusion background. A very promising recording debut from a bassist who capably embraces traditional and progressive approaches."