(I was half-way through posting my review of this album when the background notes began to seem familiar, as if from some previous incarnation. Then the nickel dropped - it had already been reviewed by Nick Mondello, who oversees BSH's NYC operation. So, as such, I curtailed my review to a few random reflections on the album. To read Nick's more detailed (and superior) review CLICK HERE - Lance).
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When is a contrafact not a contrafact? I don't know, best ask Brent Laidler who, it seems, mined fake books going back as far as the 1920s to find music that he could reshape into hip compositions for this, his latest album. Brent felt that many of the tunes had well-crafted changes that were amenable to re-working in a more modern idiom - sounds like contrafacting to me!
Nevertheless, ignoring the question as to is they is or or is they ain't contrafacts?, it's a fine album. Six solid soloists who can swing and who capture the Mark II composer's intent to perfection. The lyricism is magical from both arranger and performer with Laidler excelling in both categories.
This isn't an album that's going to change the world but nor is it going to do it any harm - there are no tariffs when it comes to music, or are there?
Listening to Hidden Gems the cares and woes of the world vanished for 59 minutes and 48 seconds. Of course they will be back tomorrow but I don't care, I've found an antidote! Lance
Haba Verde; #5 Shomeday Way; Gemani; Ballad for B; Riffy Business; Somewhere in Central Park; Evening Song; Bop Like; Petie Parasol; Without a Tres
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