These 2007 sessions by Kenny Barron are a bit unusual, as he works with several different groups, playing mostly originals. His trio with bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Francisco Mela are present on eight of the CD's ten tracks, including one trio feature, the light-hearted The First Year, penned by Alex Nguyen. The masterful soprano saxophonist Steve Wilson is added on three numbers, including the intricate post-bop vehicle The Traveler, the driving Speed Trap, and the lovely impressionistic ballad Illusion. African guitarist Lionel Loueke is Barron's sole partner for the avant-gardish Duet, while also adding flavor to Barron's engaging Calypso. There are several vocal features. Phantoms begins with a distinctively African flavor, with Loueke adding an uncredited vocal and simulating an African thumb piano on his guitar; then Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition winner Gretchen Parlato takes over, adding her haunting vocals. Veteran drummer Grady Tate has occasionally sung during his career and he adds warmth to Barron's ballad Um Beijo. Ann Hampton Callaway is more of a cabaret singer, though she proves effective in Barron's dreamy ballad Clouds. The pianist has Eubie Blake's Memories of You all to himself, sounding as if he is playing for his own enjoyment at home in a humorous arrangement that would have likely pleased its composer. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

1		The Traveler
2		Clouds
3		Spped Trap
4		Um Beijo
5		The First Year
6		Illusion
7		Duet
8		Phantoms
9		Calypso
10		Memories of You

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