Renee Rosnes' sixth Blue Note CD shows her stretching well past her hard bop roots. Joined by bassist
Scott Colley and husband
Billy Drummond on drums, she covers a wide swath of musical styles. Her aggressive attack on
Ornette Coleman's "Blues Connotation" contrasts with her laid back richly textured treatment of the old
Beatles hit "With A Little Help From My Friends."
Richard Bona adds some intriguing percussion to her inspired arrangement of Duke Elllington's rarely heard "Fleurette Africaine," and her approach to Bartok's "Children's Song No. 3" displays the trio's rhythmic gifts. "Ancient Footprints," a new version of
Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" with lyric added by
Kitty Margolis, is swinging hard bop with the tension of an uptempo African tribal chant and also features guest
Dianne Reeves's strong vocals. The pianist's rollicking "Romp" and her joyful "Little Spirit" (dedicated to her infant son) are memorable works as well. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden