Lotus Blossom (album) explained

Lotus Blossom
Type:studio
Artist:Kenny Burrell
Border:yes
Released:1995
Recorded:May 1995
Label:Concord Jazz[1]
Producer:John Burk
Prev Title:No Problem
Prev Year:1994
Next Title:Then Along Came Kenny
Next Year:1996

Lotus Blossom is an album by the American musician Kenny Burrell, released in 1995.[2] [3] Burrell supported the album by touring with the 1996 "Guitar Summit" package, with Jorma Kaukonen, Stanley Jordan, and Manuel Barrueco.[4]

Production

Recorded in May 1995, the album was produced by John Burk. Burrell used bassist Ray Drummond on the duo tracks, and Drummond and drummer Yoron Israel on the trio tracks; six of the tracks were performed solo. "Satin Doll" and "Warm Valley" are versions of the Duke Ellington compositions. The title track was written by Billy Strayhorn.[5]

Critical reception

The Sun-Sentinel wrote that "Burrell's elegant phrasing exudes warmth and lyricism."[2] The Los Angeles Times stated that "Burrell alternates rich harmonic statements with single string lines filled with arpeggiated phrasing spelling out the underlying chords."

Newsday concluded that, "for Burrell, Ellington's music isn't a hallowed museum, but a palpable, living presence, capable of sustaining intimate, rewarding dialogue."[6] The Omaha World-Herald deemed the album "quiet, subtle music rendered in always creative fashion by a player who should be called Mr. Taste."[7] The Daily Breeze listed Lotus Blossom among the best mainstream jazz albums of 1995.[8]

AllMusic wrote that "although the tunes are superior, none of these versions are definitive and the mellow results rarely rise above the level of background music."

Notes and References

  1. NAIRD's '95 Indie Award nominees . Billboard . May 11, 1996 . 108 . 19 . 50.
  2. News: Randolph . Marvin . Recommended . Sun-Sentinel . 20 Oct 1995 . Showtime . 19.
  3. News: Franckling . Ken . Another tip of the hat to the Duke . United Press International . October 24, 1995.
  4. News: 'Guitar Summit' Features 4 on 5 . Wisconsin State Journal . 14 Mar 1996 . Rhythm . 16.
  5. News: Elwood . Philip . Classy Guitar Summit . San Francisco Examiner . 4 Mar 1996 . B3.
  6. News: Seymour . Gene . Kenny Burrell 'Lotus Blossom' . Newsday . 5 Nov 1995 . Fanfare . 19.
  7. News: Smith . Will . Guitarist Leads Creative Session . Omaha World-Herald . November 19, 1995 . Entertainment . 9.
  8. News: Tranfa . Anthony D. . Jazz expands its boundaries . Daily Breeze . December 29, 1995 . K24.