Bobby Watson [Present Tense]The American Bobby Watson first did his stint with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers from 77-81, becoming their main composer before moving on to a solo career, this album was recorded in 1991.
This was another one of my Jazz purchases that looked good in the shop, so i bought it, sometimes this is the only real way to branch out and discover new musicians, i liked the cover photo, there's a hint of double exposure on the lower half of Bobby Watson.
I so much liked tracks 1, 7 & 9-10, i guess the standout track is number 9 'Love Remains', it's a track that he's recorded before, he only uses a quartet here, Trumpeter Terrell Stafford sits this one out, and it only lasts just under 5 minutes, it starts off with just Watson and Pianist Edward Simon playing duet for the first minute, when the Drummer Victor Lewis comes in [1:00+], he's really clever, in a lot of ways he's like the real star of this album, endlessly inventive, Bobby Watson also made a 9 minute plus track for another quartet, on his 'Love Remains' album from 1986 [very good too], but it's nice to have a different take on this tune.
Here's Bobby Watson playing 'Love Remains' on YouTube, this is the 9 minute plus version.
