Search - J.J. Johnson :: Let's Hang Out

Let's Hang Out: Complex, Imaginative, Occasionally Stunning

Andrew | Ithaca, NY | 03/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Let's Hang Out" isn't well known, isn't in high demand; ... it hasn't even received any reviews to date. Naturally, then, I was surprised when I slipped it into my stereo and began hearing the cohesive, poignant playing contained within it. The cd continued to surprise me. Johnson, in soloing, moves seamlessly from phrase to phrase; his trumpter, in particular, struck me with his acrobatic licks and aggressive approach. Also striking is the interplay between saxophone and trombone on track 4. It is difficult to label "Let's Hang Out." Surely it is jazz, and yet it contains introspective ballads ("It Never Entered My Mind"), high-strung shuffles (the stand-out "Kenya"), even breathtaking solo works ("Beautiful Love"). The compilation, then, is a varied journey through a vast palette of moods and styles, united only by the quality with which they are rendered. This is an obscure album that will, like most good things--friendship, wine, art--get better with age. Highly recommended."

Another great J J album

Andrew Kerensky | UK | 09/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album some years ago and features J J Johnson still playing at the top of his game. Their are some great tracks on this album and whilst J J does'nt play crazy technical stuff like some modern trombonists you get much more from J J, a great velvety tone and wonderfully mastered melodic improvisations. The section playing is really tight too."