Colors of a Dream

Harrell's "Brilliant Corners".A great release by Tom Harrell. The best label for this recording is: variety. Not just different types of tunes,but variety in the rhythmic pulse, the manner of the bass solos and the scat singing. One of the features of theseperformances is the use of interludes and/or solo spaces where both bass players solo/support each other simultaneously.The bass players are Harrell's regular bassist Ugonna Ukegwo and guest Esperenza Spalding, who supplies the wordlessvocals (otherwise known as the scat singing). The tunes with simultaneous bass: "Blues 2013", where both bassists playin the foreground with uptempo solos; "Family", where one bass plays in the high register, the other the low, then switch;"Walkway", this time in a spacey rubato-like manner.Other highlights include:"Goin' Out" - Esperanza singing the staccato head in unison"Nite Life" - an Ornette Coleman-Prime-Time-ish alto solo, then Esperanza and the band play/sing in unison in whatfeels like 6/4 time."Even If" - The rhythm section changes up again throughout the tune, and Esperanza has a scat solo that highlightsher unique style, which fortunately is nothing like the tepid Ella Fitgerald imitators out there."Walkway" - The tune is horns only with an intricate bass counterline highlighted with drums, no Spalding voice.Even if you don't like the scribbling of the ensuing simultaneous alto and tenor sax interlude, it's followed bya terrific Harrell solo and then another interlude with the two basses soloing/supporting each other.Summary: first class jazz from a master, in the spirit but not the specifics of Thelonious Monk's "Brilliant Corners".

Tom Harrell leads a fabulous group. His trumpet rings clear and melodiously. What makes this recording momentous are the splendid songs. Tell a friend!

Esperanza Spaulding sings and skats directly into your heart and Harrell swings and the rest of the band jams. Great!

If you are looking for something new, really new, this is your CD. This is the new group of Tom Harrell, is outstanding. Three musician in the wind section ; Harrell on trumpet and Flugelhorn, Jaleel Shaw on alto saxophone, Wayne Escoffery on tenor. Two on bass, Esperanza Spalding and Ugonna Okegwo and Jhonhatam Blake on drums. No piano and the voice of Esperanza Spalding. A incredible formation , three winds, two bass, one drum and voice. The music have all the influences, tango, brazil music, jazz, even in same part pop or soul. Is a very good experience. Everything is the same, but different . Harrell is great, his sound unforgettable. Is another step in the Harrell career . Easy lo listen hard to forget. Great!!!!!

Gee I could of swore that I bought a Tom Harrell Cd. I love his trumpet music. But I think he only had 50 stanzas of trumpet tune on the whole cd. I heard enough of Esperanza Spalding to think it was her Cd. Enough--It said Tom Harrell--Colors Of A Dream!!!It was a nightmare to me--not enough of the outrageously beautiful trumpet work of Harrell.Still good but I needed his trumpet---more!!!!

Tom Harrell is one of my favorites and I pre-order his CDs "automatically". I wish I had waited with this one to check out what's coming. I will not be able to play this disc again. Cannot enjoy the wordless vocals: da-da, la-la, and various other alphabets, they go on and on, and on, even during some tenor and trumpet solos .... no-no, no-no, I find myself thinking. I wish a voice-free version would be available. This is of course a matter of personal taste. Most of the time when jazz musicians include vocals/voices this seems to be my reaction. My mistake to pick up this CD. But if you enjoy vocalese in your jazz go ahead this may well become one of your favorites.

Tom Harrell is my first cousin and I support him and his band with great pride. This CD is one of my favorites.

I disagree with the previous reviewer. COLORS OFA DREAM is one of the most creative and enjoyable albums released by Tom Harrell. While indeed Esperanza Spalding's contribution to this body of work is very present, it does not detract from Harrell's masterful arrangements of 11 original compositions. Except for two songs where Spalding either sings with lyric on "Velejar," a vocal version of Harrell's signature tune, "Sail Away," or scat-solos ala Ella Fitzgerald on "Even If" her voice is used as an instrument, adding to the blend of the three fantastic horns (Harrell + Wayne Escoffery on tenor and Jaleel Shaw on alto). I love the colors provided by Spalding's vocal backgrounds on "Tango," "State" and "Phantasy in Latin." And there are plenty of songs that feature Harrell's gorgeous trumpet and flugelhorn performance - in fact Harrell is the only soloist on the beautiful ballad "Seventy" and the sole horn on the bossa "Family," where he is accompanied only by the two basses (Ugonna Okegwo and Spalding). The use of the two basses markedly strengthens the groove, and Okegwo and Spalding complement each other in terms of sound and approach. Johanthan Blake's drums hold everything together - this really is a magnificent band! Harrell's arrangements are so clever that while piano-less, the instrument is not missed. I've had the chance to listen to Harrell's various bands live - his quintet, big band, chamber ensembles and the group featured on this album and what amazes me is how Harrell manages to create his unique sound both as a performing artist and a composer/arranger no matter the style of music or the instrumentation. One can easily identify his "sound" and yet he is exciting to follow from project to project because he keeps things fresh, writing and producing new and innovative music all the time. And unlike some of the other musicians on the scene, he makes challenging and unusual harmonies and rhythms sound so fun to listen to. Perhaps it is this appealing quality that makes his innovative output so underrated by critics who overall seem to prefer music that sounds obviously difficult, knotty and angular. Harrell is sui generis and his music deserves to be listened to by a wider audience.

Great tunes, great playing, unusually Spalding (who I think I'm infatuated by) has a beautiful voice and sings so well on this album, in addition to playing bass (there are 2 bass players). Wayne Escoffery plays on only 5 tracks or so but he's becoming a titan of the more recent generation. Different to Harrell's albums before & after this one but very good nevertheless.

Tom Harrell non delude mai. Anche se devo dire che i pezzi dell'album rendono di più live.Comunque, acquisto più che consigliato

Discazo, con unos momentos sublimes. Los dos bajos tocando a la vez una experiencia muy interesante, uno de los mejores discos de Harrell en mi opinión

Tutto come previsto. Ho aspettato un pò di tempo, ma è arrivato prima del termine ultimo previsto. Mi ha soddisfatto

What can you say about this dude...TOP PLAYER,TOP COMPOSER,TOP BAND LEADER,i could go on.He and his band always making the music sound perfect.Good playing throughout.Straight ahead jazzers this one's for you!!!!