Mirrors by Joe Chambers

29 Nov

Written by Lee Prosser
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Mirrors is a more "conventional" Blue Note-bop-oriented session (circa 1964-66), but it marks a welcome return to the recording scene for Chambers. He leads a posse of fine younger players (Miller & Hering) and another too little-heard 70s vet, Eddie Henderson. The playing is exemplary, earthy, soulful, direct and cliche-free. The tunes are catchy yet thoughtful. The only thing wrong with it is the deja vu I get listening to it - it's SO much like the mid-60s Blue Note albums, in tone & style (the moody, mid-tempo Freddie Hubbard-ish "Caravanseri"). Yet Mirrors is SO well executed, the playing so tasty that I feel guilty bringing it up. I guess I wish Chambers had pushed the envelope a bit. Still, this is ace mainstream jazz, better than most of the gorgonzola passing itself off as "contemporary" jazz.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Joe Chambers
CD Title: Mirrors
Year Released: 1998
Record Label: Blue Note
Musicians: Joe Chambers (drums, vibes), Vincent Herring (sax), Eddie Henderson (trumpet) Mulgrew Miller (piano), Ira Coleman (bass)
Label Website: http://www.bluenote.com/
Rating: Five Stars