Late this past March, percussionist and drummer Lee McKinney released his new album, Reflection in Two Shades through Summit Records. The nine-song record, which runs just under an hour, is an enjoyable offering for any jazz fan. Each of its featured arrangements make that clear, not the least of which being ‘Rebecca,’ which serves as the record’s midpoint. The song, which expertly breaks up the record, will be examined shortly. ‘Samba De La Vamos Nos.’ This addition to the record will be discussed a little later. ‘Lenwood,’ which comes earlier in the album’s run, is another welcome addition to the album and will also be discussed later. Each track noted here plays its own crucial part to the record’s overall presentation. When they are considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes the album overall, a welcome addition to this year’s already crowded field of new jazz albums.
Reflection in Two Shades, the latest studio offering from Berklee College of Music-educated percussionist and drummer Lee McKinney, is an enjoyable presentation that most jazz fans will appreciate. All nine of the songs that make up its 53-minute body make that clear, not the last of which being its midpoint, ‘Rebecca.’ According to the album’s liner notes, McKinney composed the song as a tribute to his daughter. The gentle, flowing ballad of sorts is a wonderful way for McKinney to break up the album considering the energy presented throughout the rest of the record. His gentle use of the brushes is such a great subtle mark on the arrangement as acclaimed saxophonist Greg Abate leads the way with just enough controlled energy as the group makes its way through the song. Matt Copper virtually glides along the keys as he performs on piano while bassist Chris Berg puts just the right touch to the foundation to make the whole complete. The quartet’s gentle composition flows like such a loving tribute to McKinney’s daughter that any parent will appreciate just as much as any jazz fan.
Changing things up even more immediately after that song is a work that, according to the album’s liner notes, is a tribute to another even more famous percussionist, Airto Moreira. The incorporation of the flute line alongside the clearly Afro-Latin style drumming from McKinney here makes the comparison immediately clear. Listeners can instantly hear a comparison to the likes of Moreira’s ‘Rhythms and Colors.’ In the same vein, one cannot help but wonder if Moreira played any influence in the works of yet another famed composer, one Vince Guaraldi. Coincidence or not, this entry is another change of style and sound that jazz fans are sure to enjoy, further showing how much this album has to offer.
One more notable addition to the album is the early entry, ‘Lenwood.’ As with the other examined works, this song also changes things up in its own right. This time, McKinney and company offer audiences a hard bop composition that throws back to some of the great works from John Coltrane. This despite the liner notes stating the composition was inspired by another saxophonist, Jackie McLean. That distinct stylistic approach from McLean is notable in the likes of ‘’Das Dat’ and to a slightly lesser degree on ‘Stable Mates,’ from McLean’s 1960 album, Swing, Swang, Swingin.’ It is a nice, upbeat composition that allows Abate to really exhibit his talents while McKinney and company serve as equally great support. It is another example of the diverse sounds presented throughout the album and when it is considered alongside all of those other songs – including the other pair examined here – the whole makes Reflection in Two Shades a fully successful new addition to this year’s field of new jazz albums.
Reflection in Two Shades, the recently released new album from drummer/percussionist Lee McKinney, is an enjoyable presentation for most jazz fans. Its appeal comes in large part through the diverse sounds and styles exhibited throughout each of its featured compositions. The three songs examined here make that clear. When they are considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes Reflection in Two Shades a successful, welcome addition to this year’s field of new jazz albums that every jazz fan should hear at least once.
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