For his debut as leader, Rodney Whitaker takes center stage on several melodies and solos frequently. His playing is well-rounded in every respect, and he has a supple, sleek, strong tone. His core group for this outing consists of James Carter (tenor sax), Cassius Richmond (flute), Wallace Roney and Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Karriem Riggins and Gregory Hutchinson (drums), and Andrew Daniels (percussion); pianist Geri Allen and baritone saxophonist Alex Harding make cameo appearances. Three of the 11 tracks were penned by Whitaker -- the bass/percussion workout "Woman Child," the jungly "(Queen) Roz," and the crackling "Langman." Ken Cox's triumphant melody for Nelson Mandela, "Mandela's Mood," is a highlight, featuring bright melodies and Afro-Cuban underpinnings. Everyone solos on this piece, but it's Carter's histrionics that really provide the exclamation point. There are two hard boppers -- a version of "Broadway" featuring a path-clearing solo by Carter, and Richmond's "Mood Swings," which finds Carter and Roney acting like Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis. The title track features Payton's plaintive head statement and Chestnut's fervid solo. Whitaker's wife, Monzola, contributes the soft "One Silent Moment," while Roney lights things up for "On Dolphin Street." Allen waxes poetic beneath a bed of exotic, subtle rhythms on "El Morro," and the finale, "Cultural Warrior," is languid and solemn. Whitaker shows a grand diversity on this complete package of modern jazz. Highly recommended.
by Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist
1. Mandela’s Muse (Kenn Cox) 6:47
2. Broadway (Henry Woode / Teddy McRae / Bill Bird) 4:30
3. One Silent Moment (Monzola Whitaker) 6:06
4. On Green Dolphin Street (Ned Washington / Bronislaw Kaper) 5:32
5. Woman Child (Rodney Whitaker) 5:14
6. Mood Swings (Cassius Richmond) 7:26
7. (Queen) Roz (Rodney Whitaker) 6:53
8. Children of the Light (Roland Guerrin) 5:51
9. Langman (Rodney Whitaker) 7:00
10. El Morro (Francisco Mora) 7:14
11. Cultural Warrior (Francisco Mora) 7:02
Recorded at Power Station, NYC on September 13 & 14, 1995.
Credits
Nicholas Payton – Trumpet
(1, 2, 3, 7, 8)
Wallace Roney – Trumpet
(4, 6, 9, 10)
James Carter – Tenor Saxophone
(except 5, 8, 11)
Cassius Richmond – Flute
(1, 3, 10)
Cyrus Chestnut – Piano
(except 4, 5, 10)
Geri Allen – Piano
(4, 10)
Alex Harding – Baritone Saxophone
(3)
Rodney Whitaker – Bass
Kariem Riggins – Drums
(1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11)
Gregory Hutchinson – Drums
(4, 5, 6, 9, 10)
Andrew Daniels II – Percussion
(1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10)
RODNEY WHITAKER - Children of the Light
[1996] KOCH JAZZ / FLAC / scans
O Púbis da Rosa
On her debut, pianist Junko Onishi (who is accompanied by bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Billy Higgins) shows a great deal of creativity. She builds up her "Eulogia" gradually and colorfully with impressive use of the piano's lower register. When she tackles Ornette Coleman's "Congeniality," Onishi manages to be both free and melodic and the pianist also comes up with something fresh to say on "Caravan." In general her tricky frameworks, self-restraint, use of space and careful attention to dynamics and pacing are impressive and show quite a bit of maturity. Scott Yanow
