Beyond

Variously named the "young lion" and "crown prince" of the tenor saxophone, former Harvard Law student Redman (the son of well known saxophonist Dewey Redman) has emerged as the latest Stateside jazz superstar. Though clearly influenced by giants of the genre such as Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon, Redman also brings elements of hip-hop, pop and funk to his singular style.

Beyond, his seventh album since his 1993 debut is a tour de force of forceful, upfront playing. With a superb cast behind him including Aaron Goldberg on piano, Reuben Rogers on bass and Gregory Hutchinson on drums this is quartet playing at its finest, from the hard bop soloing of `Stoic Revolutions' to the moody late night textures of 'Neverend'.

Stellar stuff.