As pianist
Brad Mehldau mentions in his lengthy and well thought-out liner notes, organist
Sam Yahel, tenor saxophonist
Joshua Redman and drummer
Brian Blade each have the ability to sound like themselves no matter what the setting or the dominant style.
Yahel is one of the most original organists of his generation for even when his tone recalls
Jimmy Smith, his choice of notes does not.
Redman and
Blade also have original sounds and the three have played together on numerous occasions, often under the saxophonist's leadership. On Truth and Beauty, they perform six of
Yahel's originals and three obscurities including
Ornette Coleman's challenging "Check Up" and
Paul Simon's relatively lightweight but lyrical "Night Game."
Redman and
Yahel blend together particularly well, with the ensembles logically leading to the solos and lots of close interaction. While none of the individual originals have memorable themes, the set of complex
post-bop has a definite charm that grows ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
