Search - Jim Rotondi :: Destination Up

Very, Very Good......What's Not to Like?.......

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 10/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...if your thing is a good post-bop quintet (sextet on two tracks with trombonist Steve Davis).



I've been picking up a lot of older excellent material which has been reissued over the years that for one reason or another I never had the time (or the money!) in earlier years. Nothing wrong with that......but I've begun to feel like maybe I was over compensating. Coupled with my longing to pick up some good vibraphone work (my favorites were Milt Jackson and Cal Tjader),I acquired this one and it has become a favorite. It seems to be an unusual combination with the horn(s) and vibes but one that is exceedingly pleasing to my ears. Everytime I hit players with whom I'm not that familiar, it seems to open whole new avenues to explore......I guess that's what's so good about jazz!



With Jim Rotondi you get a good mainstream and post-bop player who is technically brilliant and yet elegant, complex and still retains a warm tone. Steve Davis, on two tracks, is certainly a creatively expressive trombonist and I do have him in some of my collection. Joe Locke is very stylish and sophisticated and seems to be influenced by Milt Jackson. Mulgrew Miller is a hard hitting pianist who is undoubtedly influenced by McCoy Tyner, another whose recordings I'm playing catch-up. Bassist Peter Washington and drummer Joe Farnsworth I'm seeing more and more frequently on other recordings.



There's not a cut on this cd that I don't like (that's rare!).I guess my favorites would be "Park Avenue Petite" written by Benny Golson which I'd never heard before. It's a beautiful ballad with exceptional flugelhorn work by Rotondi. The Irving Berlin standard, "Remember", becomes a really fresh joyous rendition with Rotondi's muted trumpet and the second appearance by Steve Davis. The horns blend superbly on a fine Bossa original, "Evening Shades Of Blue", and features an excellent trombone solo by the composer. Joe Locke's composition, "Last Ditch Wisdom", starts out with a creative time signature before settling into a fast swinger. "Miller Time", written by Rotondi in honor of the pianist, has a medium had-bop beat and features some nicely flowing vibe work by Locke.



There are five originals in this set of eight and should satisfy anyone who enjoys a good small group with excellent horn work, piano, vibes and an outstanding rhythm section."