Kenny Barron could easily go unidentified if some of the selections on this LP were played for a listener during a "blindfold test" -- he sounds quite unrecognizable on the three numbers on which he plays electric piano.
Barron, who is joined by electric bassist
Bob Cranshaw, drummer
Freddie Waits, and the colorful percussion of both
Richard Landrum and
Warren Smith on his five originals and one by
Waits, utilizes electricity with intelligence and creativity. His songs are moody and complex yet somewhat accessible and this underrated set would certainly surprise some of his current fans.
Barron is the main soloist on every selection while
Landrum and
Smith's versatile colors add a lot to the unusual session's value. ~ Scott Yanow