Lenny White, Buster Williams, George Colligan, Steve Wilson: Hancock Island - The Music Of Herbie Hancock (2008)

Shortly after jazz legend Herbie Hancock picked up his Album of the Year Grammy back in February of 2008 for The Joni Letters, a stellar, swinging crew of four began a week-long engagement at the Iridium in midtown Manhattan in which they went about interpreting classic Hancock compositions. The gig was a rousing success and the quartet - veterans Lenny White on drums and Buster Williams on bass along with young lions George Colligan on piano and Steve Wilson on saxophone - would subsequently go into the studio to document their remarkable chemistry and ingenious takes on these familiar Herbie tunes for Chesky Records.

Tracklist:

1 Cantaloupe Island 07:33
2 Fat Albert Rotunda 06:01
3 Butterfly 06:15
4 Fingerpainting 06:07
5 Chameleon 09:44
6 Rockit 05:34
7 Watermelon Man 07:37
8 Maiden Voyage 07:01

Personnel:
Lenny White - drums
Buster Williams - bass
George Colligan - electric piano
Steve Wilson - soprano & alto saxophones
Hancock Island: Music of Herbie Hancock
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Buster Williams: Griot Liberte (2004)

Bassist Buster Williams and his quartet perform six of his originals plus two standards on Griot Liberte. Williams' songs range from the modal "Nomads" and the medium-tempo blues "Related to One" (which includes some complex transitions) to the lyrical ballad "The Triumphant Dance of the Butterfly" and the swinging "Joined at the Hip," which has George Colligan's best solo of the set. Williams takes plenty of solos but is also generous in featuring vibraphonist Stefon Harris and pianist Colligan with drummer Lenny White being stimulating in support. There are times (particularly during "Related to One") when the group sounds a bit like the Modern Jazz Quartet, but other selections find the musicians showing more individuality. They are very much in tune with each other and, although not a touring group, sound as if they play together very regularly. Excellent modern mainstream jazz. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

1. Nomads
2. Related To One
3. The Triumphant Dance Of The Butterfly
4. The Wind Of An Immortal Soul
5. Every Time We Say Goodbye
6. Joined At The Hip
7. Concierto De Aranjuez
8. After The Ninth Wave

Personnel: Buster Williams (double bass);
George Colligan (piano);
Stefon Harris (vibraphone, marimba);
Lenny White (drums)

Griot Liberte (Hybr)
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Steve Kuhn Trio: Love Walked In (1998/2009)

Pianist Steve Kuhn has played a wide variety of music throughout his career, including his own intriguing originals and collaborations with Sheila Jordan. This set, a straight-ahead swinger with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Bill Stewart, should greatly satisfy bop-oriented jazz fans, for it finds Kuhn coming up with consistently fresh ideas in a conventional but far from exhausted setting. Whether digging into Duke Jordan's "No Problem," "Love Walked In," a passionate version of "Autumn Leaves," or even "Sunny," Kuhn is heard throughout at the top of his game. The presence of Williams and Stewart in supporting but stimulating roles clearly inspired Steve Kuhn, making this an easily recommended date. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist:
01. No Problem
02. Land Of The Living Dead
03. Sunny
04. Love Walked In
05. Saharan
06. Prelude To A Kiss
07. All Alone
08. Autumn Leaves
09. Lines
10. You've Changed
Personnel: Steve Kuhn (piano); Buster Williams (bass); Bill Stewart (drums)
Love Walked In
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