****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Right three years after hitting the jazz charts with his highly acclaimed debut CD,Bone Structure in 1996 (thanks in part to Ron Westray's bold participation), WycliffeGordon have finally solidify his solo recording career with this time-honoured classicin 1999. Slidin' Home is a highly innovative tour de force that showcases a strikingartistry done with absolute skill and subtle vocabulary in which Wycliffe handles withsheer greatness and first class musicianship that he would be well immortalized for.Backed by a solid track set consisting of stunning takes on jazz standards like DukeEllington's Mood Indigo and Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me, Thelonious Monk'sGreen Chimneys, St. Louis Blues. and also a delightful version of the public domainclassic Amazing Grace. Different vibrant compositions including What?, Jolly JumeJumey (a happy, fun tune dedicated to his young son); New Awlins, his take on theflavour of a Crescent City theme that he did faithfully, but on a re-harmonized note;while Blooz--First Through Dis Mornin' and My God contribute quite successfully tohis growing compositional skills. Backed by Eric Reed's vibrant piano stylings andmulti-reeds player Victor Goines, Slidin' Home successfully showcase his growling,laughing, high-rocking calliber trombone solos as he shows off his arrangements tolyrical effect ranging from gospel to high voltage jazz that give it it's timeless power.This would become the turning point for the jazz trombone master's music career.
