Record Reviews

GARY BURTON ~ COMMON GROUND MACK AVENUE 1061 (Barcode: 673203106123) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is an album by American vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist, recorded with his “New Gary Burton Quartet”, the last quartet he led before his retirement in 2017. It is the first album by this quartet, which was followed by the 2nd album from 2013, called “Guided TourFind albums with this title”, which would be the last studio album Burton recorded. The quartet includes guitarist Julian LageFind albums by this artist, bassist Scott ColleyFind albums by this artist and Mexican drummer Antonio SanchezFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, with only one being an original composition by Burton, two each by Lage and Sanchez, one by Colley, two by Ukrainian pianist / composer Vadim NeselovskyiFind albums by this artist, a member of Burton previous quartet, one by Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist and finally one is a standard. The album offers wonderful sound quality. The music is all strictly within melodic mainstream Jazz idiom, brilliantly executed by Burton, who is in perfect form and the young excellent musicians, who accompany him. Although not composed by Burton, the music is very much within his usual style, which prefers the European Jazz esthetics, with complex harmonies and subtle lyricism, which were always his trademark. Therefore, although not innovative or surprising, the music is a perfect continuation of Burton’s recorded legacy. The dialogues between the vibraphone and guitar, which are a leading feature in Burtons groups (Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, Mick GoodrickFind albums by this artist, Pat MethenyFind albums by this artist and others) through the years, proves again to be his favorite harmonic collaboration, which never fails to deliver. Overall, this is a beautiful album in every respect, which for the many Burton’s followers (yours truly included) delivers exactly what they love to hear and serves as an ideal closure of his long career, which enriched our life for so many years.

Updated: 16/06/2025Posted: 16/06/2025

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