''Compass'' is a studio album by American jazz saxophonist
Joshua Redman. It was released on January 13, 2009 via
Nonesuch Records label to a critical success, scoring 83% on
Metacritic.
Reception
Michael Kabran of ''
PopMatters'' stated "After Back East, it seemed a certainty that Redman would return to his more traditional jazz and fusion roots, that he had gotten experimentation out of his system. He proved this critic wrong by forging ahead, for the most part successfully, into less-traveled terrain (at least on the mixing board). Now, it's anyone's guess, whether you're a trained expert or a musical novice, as to where Redman's compass will take him next. And perhaps that's Compass's most emphatic point of all."
Thom Jurek of
Allmusic wrote "Joshua Redman's 2007 album Back East rightfully drew critical comparisons to
Sonny Rollins
Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (born September 7, 1930) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, he has recorded over sixty albums as a ...
' legendary trio date Way Out West, given everything from the mirror image implication in the title to the manner in which Redman offered the material on the set. The presence of Rollins looms large over Compass as well... on Compass, Redman has finally learned the greatest trick from his mentor -- to walk out on the wire with his horn more, trust the fluid abilities of his incredible rhythm section(s), and let his inner sense of song and freedom take precedence over his already well-established sense of discipline."
Daryl Easlee of
BBC added "Bleak, emotional and full of gravity, Compass is the sort of serious-minded album that gives jazz in 2009 a very good name".
Track listing
Personnel
Musicians
*Joshua Redman – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
*
Larry Grenadier – bass
*
Reuben Rogers – bass
*
Brian Blade
Brian Blade (born July 25, 1970) is an American jazz drummer, composer, session musician, and singer-songwriter.
Early life
Blade was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. The first music he experienced was gospel and songs of praise at ...
– drums
*
Gregory Hutchinson – drums
Production
*Joshua Redman – producer
*James Farber – producer, engineer (recording, mixing)
*Justin Gerrish – assistant engineer (recording)
*Rick Kwan – assistant engineer (mixing)
*Greg Calbi – engineer (mastering)
*Karina Benznicki – production supervisor
*Eli Cane – production coordination
*John Gall – design
*Ronen Givony – editorial coordinator
*Michael Wilson – photography
Charts
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Joshua Redman albums
2009 albums
Post-bop albums
Nonesuch Records albums