(Contemporary Jazz) [CD] Donald Edwards (with Walter Smith III, David Gilmore, Orrin Evans, Eric Revis) - Evolution Of An Influenced Mind - 2014 [Criss Cross], FLAC (tracks), lossless

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Path: ...\Donald Edwards - Evolution Of An Influenced Mind (2014) [FLAC]
01 -=- 01 - American Drum Call To Mama.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
02 -=- 02 - History Of The Future.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
03 -=- 03 - Niecee.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
04 -=- 04 - The Dream.flac -=- CDDA (99%)
05 -=- 05 - The Essential Passion.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
06 -=- 06 - Dock's House.flac -=- CDDA (99%)
07 -=- 07 - Nichtmare Of Fun.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
08 -=- 08 - When.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
09 -=- 09 - Culmination For Now.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
10 -=- 10 - Not Really Gumbo.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
11 -=- 11 - Truth Of Consequence.flac -=- CDDA (100%)
Summary 99,82% CDDA
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Donald Edwards is one of those drummers that seem to be taken for granted. He's constantly being called upon to support others, shaping moods and grooves on record for everybody from saxophonist Dayna Stephens to trombonist Conrad Herwig to vocalist Carolyn Leonhart, but he's largely avoided being in the spotlight. He's only released two other leader dates in his two-plus decades as a professional drummer, and both records went largely unnoticed. Now, after serving as a sideman on a half dozen Criss Cross sessions, Edwards is stepping out with his own date for the venerable Dutch label.
Evolution Of An Influenced Mind finds Edwards fronting and backing a fiery quintet of like-minded musicians on a program of original music; ten of the eleven pieces on the album are credited to the drummer, and "When" comes from the pen of the pianist on the date—the incomparable Orrin Evans. After hearing this material, it's hard to understand why Edwards hasn't occupied the driver's seat more often.
Edwards, Evans, and the rest of the cast—guitarist David Gilmore, tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, and bassist Eric Revis—aren't known for pussyfooting around, and this music reflects each man's assuredness and strength(s). These qualities can be manifested in edgy post-modern scenarios ("History Of The Future"), frantic burners ("The Essental Passion"), measured swing, and mutable constructs. Tempos aren't always of the metronome-busting variety, yet things rarely feel relaxed here; Gilmore's tonal tweaks, Smith's sense of unpredictability, and the fantastic flights undertaken by each of these men see to that.
Strict time is occasionally dispensed with, as when Edwards marries his drums to chants ("American Drum Call To Mama"), or when the band visits spiritually-charged material that reaches for a higher plane ("When"), but rhythm remains Edwards' business. Mid-tempo swing fits him like a glove, laid-back funk futurism sounds just fine when he plays it ("Culmination For Now"), and aggressive environments suit him. Edwards may be selfless when he works for others, but this man has a strong sense of self that shines through on Evolution Of An Influenced Mind. (Dan Bilawsky, AllAboutJazz)

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With Evolution of An Influenced Mind , drummer Donald Edwards makes a piercing statement about his percussiveness and musicality. Having gained attention for his craftsmanship on a number of noteworthy Criss Cross dates— Introducing Opus 5 (2011) and Orrin Evans's excellent It was Beauty (2013)—Edwards's debut on the prolific Dutch jazz label is a cohesive work of forward thinking music.
Dedicated to the memory of the great New Orleans clarinetist Alvin Batiste who mentored Edwards at Southern University in the 1980's the release exudes optimism and a modernist savor, illuminated by a killing ensemble of rising leaders that includes tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, guitarist David Gilmore, and unfaltering heavies —Orrin Evans and bassist Eric Revis. A musical reflection of Edwards's experiences can be heard within the eleven tracks found in the drummer's inventive soloing over sampled church voices in "American Drum Call To Mama" or the incendiary tempo in "The Essential Passion" which bubbles with energy.
There's plenty of meat on the bones on every track; heard in the bluesy lament of instruments in Evans's cerebral "When" and a mix of straight ahead funkiness in "Dock's House" which bops and jumps with a hint of reggae. Edwards steps outside the box with an imaginary dialogue between Ornette Coleman and Charles Mingus in the eccentric "Nightmare Of Fun" with alternating melodies. Its split personality shifts between a creeping rock-like groove and heady swing tempo as Gilmore and Smith provide decisive solos before Edwards brings the house down with inventive traps.
Literally from head to toe—Edwards's thoughtful compositions, impressive sticks, clever foot pedal technique and contributions from a top notch band—the Evolution of An Influenced Mind bursts with vigor. (Mark F. Turner, AllAboutJazz)

Donald Edwards - drums, compositions
Walter Smith III - tenor saxophone
David Gilmore - guitar
Orrin Evans - piano
Eric Revis - bass