African Exchange Student

by Kenny Garrett

Overview

Altoist Kenny Garrett, who was then a key member of Miles Davis' group, had one of his strongest early sets as a leader on this Atlantic disc. "Ja-Hed" features his post-bop improvising over the chord changes of "Impressions," the is both lighthearted and adventurous on "Mack the Knife" and the title cut has Garrett expertly building up an emotional solo from intense long tones to sound explorations and late period 'Trane screams. Throughout the CD, Kenny Garrett's alto is the main attraction but the strong rhythm section (comprised of pianist Mulgrew Miller, either Charnett Moffett or Ron Carter on bass, Tony Reedus or Elvin Jones on drums and occasional percussionists) should not be overlooked. Whether it be the modal tribute piece "Shaw," the rarely played Coltrane song "Straight Street" or the minor blues "Nostradamus," Kenny Garrett justifies the praise that he received from Miles Davis. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	10/01/1990
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678215629
Rank:	97705

Tracks

1. Ja-Hed
2. Mack the Knife
3. African Exchange Student
4. Someday We'll All Be Free
5. One World Through
6. Straight Street
7. Shaw
8. Lullaby of Isfahan
9. One Finger Snap
10. Your Country-Ness
11. Nostradamus

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kenny Garrett   Primary Artist,Flute,Vocals,Sax (Alto)
Ron Carter   Guest Artist,Bass,Double Bass
Elvin Jones   Guest Artist,Drums
Tony Reedus   Guest Artist,Drums
Charnett Moffett   Guest Artist,Bass
Mulgrew Miller   Guest Artist,Piano
Rudy Bird   Percussion
Tito O'Casio   Percussion
Steve Thornton   Percussion

Technical Credits

James Nichols   Engineer,Mixing
Donald Brown   Producer,Arranger
Patrick Smith   Engineer,Mixing
Ed Howard   Composer
John Coltrane   Composer
Vincent Caro   Assistant Engineer
Donny Hathaway   Composer
Kurt Weill   Composer
Kenny Garrett   Arranger,Composer,Executive Producer
Eddie Howard, Jr.   Composer
Marc Blitzstein   Composer
Herbie Hancock   Composer
Larry Freemantle   Art Direction
Frank Moscati   Photography
Edward Howard   Composer
Jose Rodriguez   Mastering
Bertolt Brecht   Composer