Cornelius Claudio Kreusch - Black Mud Sound (1995)

It is a measure of how powerful a pianist Cornelius Claudio Kreusch is that he was able to get altoist Kenny Garrett to be on his quartet CD Black Mud Sound. Whenever Garrett is heard performing modern and complex music that is also freewheeling, it is a recording well worth getting. The polyrhythms on this set, which are occasionally funky but always adventurous (sometimes a bit reminiscent of the early M-Base music), inspire the altoist to play at his most passionate and creative. The music is often danceable but never predictable. As for Kreusch, he is tied to the jazz world without sounding at all derivative, and his sound and chord voicings are his own. In addition, the surprising song quotes by Garrett and Kreusch will make one smile. This underrated set is well worth searching for. -- Scott Yanow