Ron Carter - Carnaval

This is actually billed as a leaderless date, possibly instigated by this quartet's alto player, Sadao Watanabe, as it's a concert from 1978 in his native Japan. It's an exuberant, well-recorded set with all hands in good form. Speaking of the saxophonist, it is, fortunately, Watanabe the bebopper, not his fuzak-peddling alter ego. Bristling with a physical, Phil Woods-like virtuosity, he holds nothing back. He may not be subtle, but he's burning. Drummer Tony Williams also plays with a flashy power that works well in the context of this upbeat concert. Read More