On his second album for Impulse! Donald Harrison continues to proselytize for what he called "nouveau swing" on his

first date for the label, even going so far as to sing/rap an explanation of his concept in "Nouveau Swing (Reprise)."

Essentially, what he seems to mean by the term is that, within an acoustic quartet setting, he intends to introduce

elements of a number of musical genres, for example covering the Meters' funk anthem "Cissy Strut" and having

drummer John Lamkin use a reggae feel for "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," the Sigmund Romberg standard he

previously recorded on For Art's Sake. He alternates rhythm sections, using his regular working band, Lamkin, pianist

Andrew Adair, and bassist Reuben Rogers, but switching to the more high-profile unit of pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist

Christian McBride, and drummer Carl Allen for special occasions such as a cover of Duke Ellington's "Blue Rose." 

There are a few guests, notably trumpeter Bryan Lynch on the bluesy "Again, Never" by Bill Lee (father of Spike) and

Eddie Palmieri's "Slowvisor", Teodross Avery on Harrison's own New Orleans-styled "Indian Blues," and Rodney Jones

playing Wes Montgomery-style guitar on "Mr. Cool Breeze," "Smooth Sailing," and "Nouveau Swing (Reprise)," all Harrison

originals. Despite the various eclectic elements, Harrison remains the same post-bop player he has always been.

Donald Harrison – Free To Be

Label: Impulse! – IMPD-283

Format: CD, Album

Country: US

Released: 1999

Genre: Jazz

Style: Contemporary Jazz

Tracklist

1   Free To Be 6:57

2   Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 6:01

3   Cissy Strut 6:16

4   Blue Rose 5:38

5   Again, Never 5:09

6   Duck's Steps 3:51

7   Indian Blues 5:52

8   Mr. Cool Breeze 5:48

9   Smooth Sailing 4:29

10 Slowvisor 6:29

11 Nouveau Swing (Reprise) 3:55

12 Feelin Jazzy, Baby 6:06

IN EXCELLENT CONDITION

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