Seems like Steve Kuhn's hit a purple patch of late, with these fine
recordings following on from his acclaimed 1991 Maybeck Recital concert
on Concord.
On 'Seasons' he and his band take things very easy, very laid back. It's
a relaxing and enjoyable affair with some lovely understated trumpet from
the marvellous Tom Harrell and respectable tenor sax contributions from
Bob Mintzer. Opening with the peppy Six Gun and then turning to the lush
Romance, the album proceeds to follow Khun's introspective muse into
familiar and sweet-sounding environments, the pianist and rhythm section
of Al Foster and George Mraz on good form throughout. Just the sort of
music which might fit comfortably into your slow and lazy Sunday
afternoons.
If 'Seasons' could be called a good listening experience, then surely
'Remembering Tomorrow' can only be described as fantastic. Khun's first
recording in ECM for 15 years, it's very much a triumphant return of the
prodical son and also an indication of the influence and vision of ECM
producer/aesthete Manfred Eichner. This one came as a brilliant and
exciting surprise, immediately heralded by the rippling piano flurries
of the opening The Rain Forest, which offers a taste of the passionate,
emotional and deeply musical program to come (all Kuhn tunes, bar one
standard). One is struck by Kuhn's complete pianistic conception and
emotional range as he continually mines the deep strata of the music's
soul. And Joey Baron! What an oustanding drummer! He brings to the trio
an unbridled sense of energy and some astonishing work on cymbals and
toms, embellishing the surge of Kuhn's playing on Oceans in the Sky, the
title track, and Bittersweet Passages. David Finck has been bassist with
Khun since 1990, but they all sound like they've been together forever.
This is an extremely rewarding jazz experience. Don't miss it!
Available through Birdland Records or B# Records.
Reviewed by Matt Krieg
Source: JULY/AUG '96 'Jazz Notes'
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