Bringing to mind a superb mix of
Dexter Gordon
and
Sonny Rollins
,
I'm All for You
finds forward-thinking saxophonist
Joe Lovano
expertly balancing heartfelt melodicism and cerebral harmonic
improvisation
. Easily one of
Lovano
's most listenable endeavors, the
ballads
-oriented album pulls no punches and simply allows you to sit back and enjoy a master play at his utter best. Joining him is journeyman pianist
Hank Jones
, who brings his urbane touch to such classic
standards
as
"Don't Blame Me"
"Like Someone in Love."
Rounding out the ensemble are longtime
associates bassist
George Mraz
and drummer
Paul Motian
, who lend an egoless mentality to the proceedings, helping to emphasize lush group interplay over individual pyrotechnics. ~ Matt Collar