When you count up the years and numbers, few if any authentic
jazz
guitarists have sustained as long, consistent, fruitful or interesting a recording career as
Ponder
. His many efforts for the
Muse
and
High Note
labels have set high standards for musicality with integrity, and this recording leaves no doubt as to his continued excellence. This is as diverse a
recording, leaving
pop
trappings completely aside, as
has ever conceived. He does great modern
works such as a picture-perfect read of
Woody Shaw
's mainstream classic
"Moontrane,"
the
Victor Feldman
/
Miles Davis
hard bop
evergreen
"Seven Steps to Heaven,"
replete with a witty off minor repeated lead chorus, and his second attempt (first done on
Something to Ponder
) for the cerebral
Pharoah Sanders
modal
circular incantation, a near ten minute take of
"The Creator Has a Master Plan."
For someone closely identified as a good ol'
soul-jazz
plectrist, longtime fans will be pleased about the opening track
"Kickin' Da Bobo,"
a reference to prison slang. There's a
Latin
variation of the usually balladic
"Wild Is the Wind,"
a main version and reprise of
's poignant
"Somebody's Child,"
and pianist
Sonny Barbato
leading, with
's rhythm guitar setting up
Bill Lee
's cute
"Who Will Be the One?"
from a film of son
Spike Lee
. There's a Brazilian flavored guitar duo, more
ballads
including the beautiful standard
"Too Late Now,"
three different drummers including producer
George Heid
and Cleveland's
Greg Bandy
roiling rhythms during
"Creator,"
's fluid, dynamic guitar leading his group of fellow Pittsburghians all the way. While those quite familiar with
should enjoy the broad-based approach of this recording from top to bottom, even they could be surprised how thoroughly enjoyable this date is. ~ Michael G. Nastos