Joshua Redman - Beyond (2000)

With his seventh and latest Warner Bros. CD, Beyond, 31-year-old Joshua Redman offers further proof that he's dedicated to exploring new musical territory. "My career has been an adventure," he says. "But this album represents a new stage in the journey. It's definitely an extension of what I've done, but it's deeper, more patient, more mature, more personal than the other records." On Beyond, Redman unveils ten originals that are both compelling in their complexity (including odd time signatures and polymetric structures) and alluring in their unadorned beauty (from catchy grooves to indelible melodies).

In the early years of his career, saxophonist Joshua Redman at times seemed burdened by expectations raised by record-label hype he knew was only partly justified. Beyond marks his emergence as a fully mature artist. The album includes some of Redman's strongest playing–the gorgeous ballad "Neverend," the slow-building tenor exchange with longtime friend Mark Turner on "Leap of Faith," the tongue-in-cheek grave dance on "Last Rites of Rock 'n' Roll." It also includes some of his most ambitious writing–the 13/4 time signature on "Courage," the 9/4 "Lopsided Lullaby," the 10/4 "Suspended Emanations." Redman's quartet with pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson displays the immediate, organic swing of a real touring band. One complaint, however: at 73 minutes, the album is two or three tracks too long. Whatever happened to the idea of saving a few choice outtakes for the inevitable career rediscovery 30 years from now? –Rick Mitchell

Tracklist:

01. Courage (Asymmetric Aria) - 7:34
02. Belonging (Lopsided Lullaby) - 5:50
03. Neverend - 4:28
04. Leap Of Faith - 9:07
05. Balance - 9:05
06. Twilight … And Beyond - 11:00
07. Stoic Revolutions - 6:13
08. Suspended Emanations - 6:22
09. Last Rites Of Rock 'N' Roll - 7:06
10. A Life? - 6:52

Personnel:

Joshua Redman - soprano, tenor, alto saxophone;
Mark Turner - tenor saxophone, special guest on "Leap of Faith";
Aaron Goldberg - piano;
Reuben Rogers - bass;
Gregory Hutchinson - drums.