STEVE KUHN — Seasons of Romance (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Steve Kuhn's sole session for the Postcards label feels like three separate dates. With tenorist Bob Mintzer and trumpeter Tom Harrell individually featured on three quartet tracks apiece, plus three trio selections with bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster, the chemistry is stimulating throughout the disc. Mintzer's brisk bop vehicle "Six Gun" explodes right from the start, while a lush treatment of Quincy Jones' "'The Pawnbroker" and Kuhn's magical samba "Clotilde" also merit praise. Harrell is added for the wistful ballad "Romance," making a late entrance following the leader's poignant opening solo. The trumpeter contributed the passionate"Visions of Gaudi" and also appears in Kuhn's upbeat "Looking Back." But Kuhn is best heard in the trio numbers, including a playful extended workout of the standard "There Is No Greater Love"; Steve Swallow's driving, intense "Remember"; and an emotional arrangement of "Good Morning, Heartache." This valuable CD unfortunately did not remain on the market for long, with the swift demise of the Postcards label after only a few years of existence. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Six Gun    4:57
 Bob Mintzer
2    Romance    4:10
 Dori Caymmi
3    Visions Of Gaudi    5:27
 Tom Harrell
4    There Is No Greater Love    9:12
 Isham Jones / Marty Symes
5    The Pawnbroker    5:57
 Quincy Jones / Jack Lawrence
6    Remember    6:03
 Steve Swallow
7    Clotilde    6:16
 Steve Kuhn
8    Good Morning, Heartache    5:33
 Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
9    Looking Back    5:02
 Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Double Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Al Foster
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 1, 5, 7)
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (tracks: 3, 6, 9)