STEVE KUHN — Remembering Tomorrow (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In a blindfold test it would be easy to identify pianist Steve Kuhn's CD as a stereotypical ECM recording. With its emphasis on space, rather slow development and occasional repetition, the performances of Kuhn, bassist David Finck and drummer Joey Baron (all but one of the 11 pieces are Kuhn originals) only occasionally rise above the level of background music. There are some heated moments on the sixth song ("All the Rest Is the Same") and the tenth ("Bittersweet Passages") but most of this set is rather sleepy and melancholy, not living up to the potential of these talented musicians. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    The Rain Forest    4:03
 Steve Kuhn
2    Oceans In The Sky    7:53
 Steve Kuhn
3    Lullaby    4:46
 Steve Kuhn
4    Trance    8:00
 Steve Kuhn
5    Life's Backward Glance    5:13
 Steve Kuhn
6    All The Rest Is The Same    7:34
 Steve Kuhn
7    Emmanuel 5:03
 Michel Colombier
8    Remembering Tomorrow    7:51
 Steve Kuhn
9    The Feeling Within    6:00
 Steve Kuhn
10    Bittersweet Passages    4:45
 Steve Kuhn
11    Silver    6:53
 Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Double Bass – David Finck
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Drums – Joey Baron

STEVE KUHN | STEVE SWALLOW — Two By 2 (1996-2007) RM | Confluences Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

The verve of a duet recording between pianist Steve Kuhn and electric bass guitarist Steve Swallow cannot be underestimated. An inherent telepathy, shared concern for beauty, and high level of musicianship should lead one to believe, on paper, that this would be a perfect joining, and indeed it is. So many outstanding pieces highlight this disc, especially considering they play no standards. Of Kuhn's compositions, you get the stunning "Deep Tango," with its stop-start tendencies, and Kuhn vocally reciting "Poem for #15" (never previously recorded with the verse), also known as "The Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers." Both of these classics were previously heard on the ECM recording Playground, which Kuhn did in collaboration with Sheila Jordan. There's the bluesy title selection, the fun "Mr. Calypso Kuhn" (rivaling the Sonny Rollins evergreen "St. Thomas"), and the utterly gorgeous "Gentle Thoughts." Swallow assimilates legitimate single-string high-octave guitar leads on "Deep Tango" and "Gentle Thoughts," but sticks with traditional basslines on most of the record, and he is an unquestioned master at that. His compositional contributions are his more famous than ever melody of "Eiderdown" (a great rendition), the noir drama samba "Ladies in Mercedes" (popularized by Carla Bley), and the spirit waltz "Remember." All pieces are played with a modern luster and shine rivaling a mirror-like polished piece of chrome. Whether pristine and pretty, pensive and moody, or bright and bouncy, Kuhn and Swallow consistently deliver a timeless recording that should stand all tests of time, and is definitely recommended. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1    Gentle Thoughts 4:01
Composed By – Steve Kuhn
2    Two By Two 3:51
Composed By – Steve Kuhn
3    Remember 5:56
Composed By – Steve Swallow
4    Wrong Together 4:33
Composed By – Steve Swallow
5    Eiderdown 5:33
Composed By – Steve Swallow
6    Lullaby 5:47
Composed By – Steve Kuhn
7    Ladies In Mercedes 6:30
Composed By – Steve Swallow
8    Deep Tango 6:31
Composed By – Steve Kuhn
9    Poem For #15 6:39
Composed By – Steve Kuhn
10    Mr Calypso Kuhn 2:55
Composed By – Steve Kuhn
11    Emmanuel 5:39
Composed By – Michel Colombier
Credits :
Electric Bass – Steve Swallow
Piano – Steve Kuhn

STEVE KUHN — Countdown (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

A neglected figure in the overall scheme of modern jazz, perhaps this magnificent recording from the veteran pianist Kuhn will somewhat salve that wound. He is masterfully impressionistic, skillful as any, extra-lyrical, and his talent is in full array with substantive help from bassist David Finck and drummer Billy Drummond. In his flowery liner notes, Rafi Zabor refers to Kuhn's sound as that of utter "refracted beauty" -- a concise and apt a description for Kuhn's consistently brilliant musings. The bulk of the program is standards, reharmonized as the quick-witted John Coltrane title track, the lilting endless melody streams tacked on to "Four," or the "Milestones"-tagged version of "Speak Low" showing that as Kuhn is deep, he's also clever. Adapting "Why Did I Choose You?" as if walking on eggshells with a slight samba beat, Kuhn's dancing figures are steps he invents. Finck's singing bass solo accents the laid-back Benny Carter evergreen "When Lights Are Low," and Kuhn's take on "She's Funny That Way" expands further on this already exceptional melody. There are three of Kuhn's originals, totaling a mere 12 minutes. A recap on the piece from his Sheila Jordan phase, "Last Year's Waltz" gets a regret-filled rubato treatment seen through lavender-colored glasses. "Chalet" is as elegiac as any snow covered mountain home, while "Tomorrow's Son" is a rhapsodic, free entity with more cascading piano. Steve Swallow's "Wrong Together" is also included, weeping with even-keeled swing and repeated inquisitions as to why. This music clearly inspires all kinds of lush, regal imagery. It is Kuhn at his best, one of the more soul-stirring piano trio CDs of recent hearing, and a joy to listen to more than just once. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1    Countdown    3:48
 John Coltrane
2    Chalet    5:07
 Steve Kuhn
3    Last Year's Waltz    3:26
 Steve Kuhn
4    Wrong Together    6:26
 Steve Swallow
5    Four    7:06
 Miles Davis
6    Why Did I Choose You?    4:52
 Michael Leonard / Herbert Martin
7    When Lights Are Low    6:46
 Benny Carter / Cootie Williams
8    She's Funny That Way    4:30
 Neil Moret / Richard A. Whiting
9    Speak Low    9:32
 Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill
10    Tomorrow's Son    3:20
 Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Bass – David Finck
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – Steve Kuhn 

STEVE KUHN — Jazz 'n (E)Motion (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Once Upon A Time 3:42
Written-By – Charles Strouse, Lee Adams
2    Last Tango In Paris 7:34
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
3    Lonely Town 6:36
Written-By – Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Leonard Bernstein
4    The Night Has A Thousand Eyes 6:57
Written-By – Buddy Bernier, Jerry Brainin
5    Love Is For The Very Young 3:46
Written-By – David Raksin
6    Emily 6:46
Written-By – Johnny Mandel, Johnny Mercer
7    The Rain Forest 6:03
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
8    The Pawnbroker 5:53
Written-By – Quincy Jones
9    This Is New 5:10
Written-By – Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill
10    Invitation 7:27
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper, P. F. Webster
11    Smile 3:40
Written-By – Charles Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, John Turner
Credits :
Piano – Steve Kuhn

STEVE KUHN — Dedication (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The first of Steve Kuhn's several CDs for Reservoir is a multifaceted trio session with bassist David Finck and drummer Billy Drummond. Kuhn opens with a pair of enjoyable originals, the gliding post-bop "Dedication" and "The Zoo," cast as a melancholy bossa nova. He does justice to two compositions by bassist Steve Swallow, the well-known "Eiderdown" and the more obscure "Please Let Me Go," both of which prominently feature Finck's superb playing. His fresh, somewhat darker approach to Kenny Dorham's catchy "Blue Bossa" starts subtly but grows in intensity. Nor does the leader ignore standards. His bright, swinging take of "It's You or No One," the lush setting of "For Heaven's Sake," and a loping waltz treatment of "Like Someone in Love " all merit high praise. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Dedication    6:13
 Steve Kuhn
2    The Zoo    5:50
 Steve Kuhn
3    I Waited For You    5:51
 Gil Fuller
4    Eiderdown    5:38
 Steve Swallow
5    Please Let Go    7:29
 Steve Swallow
6    It's You Or No One    8:02
 Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
7    For Heaven's Sake    6:12
 Elise Bretton / Sherman Edwards / Don Meyer /
8    Like Someone In Love    7:18
 Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
9    Blue Bossa    5:55
 Kenny Dorham
Credits :
Bass – David Finck
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – Steve Kuhn