The deserving many (Joshua Redman) (LP 2358 - 2363)

Joshua Redman Wish (CD, Warner Bros Records, 1993) ***

Joshua Redman Timeless Tales (For Changing Times) (CD, Warner Bros Records, 1998) ***  

Joshua Redman Elastic (CD, Warner Bros Records, 2002) ****  

Joshua Redman Back East (CD, Nonesuch Records, 2007) ***  

Joshua Redman Compass (CD, Nonesuch Records, 2009) *** 

James Farm Quartet  James Farm (CD, Nonesuch Records, 2011) ****   

Genre: Jazz 

Places I remember: These all came from my time living in the Middle East - from 2009 - 2012, and were bought at a variety of Virgin stores in Dubai, Al Ain or Doha.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Summertime (Timeless Tales)

Gear costume: Eleanor Rigby (Timeless Tales)

Active compensatory factors: American jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman has developed a signature post-bop sound over the years. 

Wish was his second album and is a smooth jazz album, although two of the sidemen, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins are graduates of Ornette Coleman's bands. The presence of Pat Metheny on guitars guarantees that smooth sound.

It's an eclectic song selection - tunes by Ornette Coleman, Charlie Parker, Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton as well as some Metheny and Redman. All sounds pretty wonderful to me.

Timeless Tales (his fourth album) sounds more assured to me. He still features songs from an eclectic range - Stevie Wonder (again), Joni Mitchell, Prince, Dylan as well as Irving Berlin, Rodgers - Hammerstein etc.

It's still at the smooth jazz end of the continuum. Brad Mehldau is on piano this time with the quartet (Larry Grenadier on bass and Brian Blade - drums).  

Elastic is my go to album. Essentially, it's a trio of Redman, Blade (exceptional on this album) and keyboard warrior - Sam Yahel. The three make a lot of great noise together.

It's quite a funky record - some great grooves going on. I think of this as a transitional record between the first ones and the comparatively more free form, experimental ones to come.

Back East I find quite hard to get into and enjoy (unlike Elastic). As an example - my wife will happily go along with Timeless Tales and Elastic, but will only last a few tunes before asking me to take Back East off!

Worthy of note - Dewey Redman (his father) joins for a few tracks. He would pass away shortly after these sessions.

Compass came next in his catalogue and continues the feel of experimentation that was on Back East. Also one my wife dislikes, so I don't listen to it much. When I do, I do find it a tad harsh, but it's challenging. Which is good - he's forging ahead!

Bringing us right up-to-date with Redman - James Farm is the name of the band, and the name of the album. It combines the talents of Redman, Aaron Parks (piano), Matt Penman (bass), and Eric Harland (drums). Along with Elastic, this is my favourite Redman album.

The guys fuse together a great post-bop collection. They are still together and touring - a rare thing for a jazz ensemble. It would be great to catch them live.

Where do they all belong? Next up in jazz - four albums from Sonny Rollins.