Lisa Hilton - Kaleidoscope (CD)

"Under the deft touch and considerable artistic vision of Lisa Hilton, modern and traditional jazz come together as one. The new sound for improvisational music is only enhanced with the prolific rhythm section of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Marcus Gilmore when you toss in the King of improvisational minimalism in tenor player, J.D. Allen, then things just got serious. Nine of the eleven tunes on Kaleidoscope are originals further solidifying Hilton as a composer of note. In somewhat the same lyric vein as Allen there has been a zen-like less is more quality to Hilton's work, yet with Allen the harmonics and the lyric flow are more open ended and there is a deceptively subtle sense of urgency smoldering just beneath the surface. Hilton moves effortlessly between classical and jazz with Bach,Basie, Bird Boogie Blues Bop while doing her own riff on Horace Silver and Herbie Hancock with the opening tune, Simmer. There is a shift, a lyrical and harmonic adjustment within the more traditional ranks of jazz and Lisa Hilton is now leading the charge. A formidable quartet with adventurous original compositions banged out by some of the finest musicians of our time. It doesn't get much better than this." --Brent Black, CriticalJazz.com

"Exceptional artistry. "--Jazz Times Magazine

"The sheer beauty of her playing- the rhythmic acuity, those silky lines." --Downbeat Magazine

Lisa Hilton/piano, Larry Grenadier/bass, Marcus Gilmore/drums, JD Allen/tenor sax
1 Simmer
2 Whispered Confessions
3 Labyrinth
4 When I Fall in Love
5 Bach, Basie, Bird Boogie Blues Bop
6 Kaleidoscope
7 Midnight Mania
8 Blue Horizon
9 Stepping Into Paradise
10 One and Only
11 Sunny Side Up

Kaleidoscope is composer/pianist Lisa Hilton’s 16th release, and features drummer Marcus Gilmore, bassist Larry Grenadier and on three tracks, the tenor sax of J.D. Allen. “The goal of an artist is to express what is happening in our world and create a connection that others hear, see or feel,” Hilton explains. “The last few years have been challenging to so many, and it feel we need to somehow, shift our perspective – like a kaleidoscope shifts it’s pretty pieces, and view our world and lives with a new point of view – that’s what each of us can do on a daily basis. Musically we are taking all the elements of music and jazz, and shifting them into “new” configurations that are, delightful to the ear. Kaleidoscope is about personal change as well as musical progress.” Joining Hilton once again is bassist, Larry Grenadier – well known for his consistent virtuosity and recordings with Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny Chris Potter and his own Fly Trio. For the first time, Marcus Gilmore joins Hilton, with a depth of experience and family history. Ben Ratliffe writes in the New York Times of Gilmore: “The grandson of Roy Haynes, jazz’s most important living drummer, but he has proved his own virtues quickly. Hilton also features the acclaimed and deep tones of tenor sax, J.D. Allen on three tracks. Kaleidoscope’s upbeat vibe encompasses retro bop, avant- garde, impressionist and minimalist ideas in eleven tracks. Audiophiles will enjoy the rich sound contributed by the best sound engineers in the world with Al Schmitt, Gavin Lurssen and James Farber all involved. Hilton starts with the retro groove of “Simmer” where Horace Silver or early Herbie Hancock would feel at home, then moves into the noir of “Whispered Confessions” and “Labyrinth.” The trio switches it up on the aptly named, “Bach, Basie, Bird Boogie Blues Bop,” then shifts to the languid, “When I Fall in Love” by Heyman & Young. Somehow channeling Bill Evans and Jelly Roll Morton in this dreamy standard works in a surprising and refreshing way. The only other cover is essentially bookend – Adele’s “One and Only” – a new pop jazz standard equally at home with the Heyman & Young here. Allen gets free rein for his dusky tenor on “Midnight Mania,” where the band leads a manic free explosion and back. The title track, “Kaleidoscope,” the bluesy “Blue Horizon” and the solo take of “Stepping Into Paradise” all showcase Hilton’s intimate piano wafting improvisations. The disc ends on an upbeat and traditional note with “Sunny Side Up.”