Search - Kenny Cox :: Introducing Kenny Cox

Detroit-based, cerebral hard bop modeled on albums like Maid

Frank S. Cohen | Leominster, MA | 01/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in 1968, this CD combines the only two sessions for Blue Note by this group (They were originally released as "Introducing . . ." and "Multidirection"). The Kenny Cox Quintet, a Detroit-based outfit of the late-60s, models itself on the cerebral, modal hardbop of sessions such as Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage and Miles Davis's ESP. This group shows its love for such sounds by way of it's own late-60s, Detroit perspective on this brand of music. The compositions are essentially sketches for improvisation that is contemplative and spacious. There is no doubt that the mid-60s playing of Blue-Note/Columbia colleagues of Hancock, Tony Williams, George Coleman, Wayne Shorter, Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Ron Carter made an imprint on these musicians individually and collectively (Coincidentally, tenor saxophonist Leon Henderson is Joe's brother). However, this group, on these two sessions most closely emulates the sound of Hancock's Maiden Voyage. Upon listening, one cannot help but be reminded of that album and each of the musicians on it. Hancock exerts a noticeable influence on the phrasing of pianist and group leader, Kenny Cox. This is pleasurable, accessible and yet challenging music by a group that blends it's Detroit sensibility with it's affection for immediate predecessors who were also their northeastern contemporaries."