Trumpeter
Corey Wilkes has established himself as one of the best creative improvising trumpeters -- if not the best -- in the modern era. His stunning work with
the Art Ensemble of Chicago and
Kahil El'Zabar's bands has cemented his place as the rising star on his instrument. This debut recording for
Wilkes reflects his interest in the rhythm & blues style, both retro and contemporary. The presence of keyboardist
Robert Irving III has a lot to do with how the music is conceived rhythmically, having been a nephew and bandmate in the late-period groups of
Miles Davis. But as a composer and arranger,
Wilkes holds close allegiance to the wonderfully inventive horn charts written by
Herbie Hancock during the time of his combo that recorded the groundbreaking
Mwandishi.
Wilkes is also respectful of elders like
Langston Hughes, as he adapts "The Trumpet Player" with the words of
Hughes recited by Miyanda Wilson into a bluesy stew stirred by bassist Junius Paul. Hip-hop funk identifies the light swagger of "Sonata in the Key of Jack Daniels," while the hip, funky title cut internally shimmers via the Fender Rhodes of
Irving, with an additional 11-minute live version plus vocals included as a closing track. The merging of old and new school is most evident on the lower light groove of "Touch," quite reminiscent of
Benny Golson's classic "Killer Joe," while "Remy's Revenge" is a harder-edged two-chord modal number and "Ubiquitous Butterfly" is an out-and-out stomper. With alto saxophonist Jabari Liu and tenor saxophonist
Chelsea Baratz,
Wilkes conjures the breezy yet potent
Mwandishi sound on the bright funk of "Return 2 Sender" and the neat tick-tock rhythms urging "Searchin'" onward. There's a sole R&B pop tune sung by Dee Anderson in a manner similar to
Fontella Bass about a dirty old man, and seems unnecessary. A CD with mixed results that still holds much promise for the exceptional
Wilkes, this purposeful recording may very well find a commercial audience well outside of the one
Wilkes already owns. ~ Michael G. Nastos