Digitally re-mastered and expanded edition of this 1959 release including bonus tracks. This release contains John Lewis' complete 1959 album Improvised Meditations & Excursions, in which the pianist abandoned his typical MJQ lineup to play relaxed trio pieces. Further tracks featuring John Lewis' piano as the primary instrument in trio and duet formats (which was a rarity for him) have been added as a bonus. 15 tracks total. Essential Jazz Classics. 2010.
MJQの諸作や「GRAND ENCOUNTER」などに隠れて目立たないが、ジョン・ルイスのピアノをじっくりと味わえる佳作である。高度なテクニックを披露するというのとは異なった、シンプルで抑制の効いた演奏が印象的だ。特にチャーリー・パーカーの"Now's The Time"やレイ・ブライアントの演奏が有名な"Delaunay's Dilemma "での軽快なタッチと"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"の落ち着いた雰囲気がいい。派手さや甘さを排し、渋さに満ちた独特の感性が伝わってくる、そんな隠れた逸品だ。
There is more music on the cd but the sound quality is awful. This particular music is my favorite Lewis cd, so when I saw that it was 'remastered' I thought the muddiness of the Collectables edition woud be improved - it's not!