Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine
Steve Khan
"Borrowed Time"
www.stevekhan.com
Ok... Come on. Steve Khan with John Patitucci, Ruben
Rodriguez, Randy Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, Bob Mintzer, Manola Badrena
and a slew of other amazing musicians?! "How could you go wrong?"
you might ask. I might answer, "ummmm.... you
can't!!". And I'd be right. I love this album!
I initially knew of Steve's playing from his work with Weather Update
and was already a fan. In a world just bursting with exciting
guitar talent, Steve Khan has always stood out as one very steeped in
the tradition of jazz guitar playing, but always willing to step out
and speak with a unique and exciting voice. His playing is so
clean and well constructed yet never comes across as predictable or
"too old school" (some of you are going to hate that I said
that). I am one who loves jazz but has always leaned more towards
the edgier, grittier modern NYC approach, it takes a very special
player to captivate me when taking a more straight ahead
approach. Steve's playing is unbelievably clean, creative
and articulate (this guy does not "fluff" his way through
changes!). The lineup is exciting and well considered and the
song-list is especially interesting (containing tunes by Ornette
Coleman, Monk, McCoy Tyner and Rodgers & Hart). Steve only
contributed two of his own compositions: "Face Value" and a very cool
"El Faquir". Any fan of Jazz guitar should find plenty to grab
ahold of with this album and any guitar player will find plenty to
study!
