Having had his compositions recorded on albums by
Billy Drummond
,
Billy Pierce
, and
Tony Reedus
, it is no surprise that pianist and lawyer
Jonny King
's debut as a leader showcases his writing. Seven of
In From the Cold
's eight selections are written by
King
; they are characterized by their time signature changes and angular melodies, with piano and bass playing in unison under the melody, but always, they maintain their sense of swing. For this recording,
joined forces with frequent collaborators
Vincent Herring
Mark Turner
Ira Coleman
Drummond
, and the results are very satisfying. Highlights include the samba-like
"El Jefe,"
the uptempo
"Fire and Brimstone,"
and the title track, a medium swinger which actually changes its time signature three times.
is a player and composer to watch. ~ Greg Turner