"Have You Heard?"

CD Review by Paula Phillips

Artist: Russo & Murray
Title: In My Mind's Eye
Label: Exposed Records
Website: www.maxbass.com

"The journey of a musical career has many twist & turns to negotiate. Sometimes the ride is smooth and other times a little bumpy. We need those special people in our lives that come along side encouraging, pushing and helping us to rise to our potential."  So begins the liner notes for the CD, In My Mind's Eye on Xposed Records, recorded in June of 2002 and spearheaded by old friends and colleagues drummer Frank Russo and bassist Max Murray who have been teaming up in trios, quartets and quintets since 1986.   They play all over the planet, and locally at 49 West.  Much sought after as supportive players, it is high time they called the tunes on their own CD.  They are joined here by wonderfully gifted pianist/composer Doug Bickel and trumpeter John D'earth.  The CD bursts with life.  If, like me, you are overworked and under-stimulated (the leaves are falling and you realize you only made one trip to the beach all summer!) this compilation will revive you.  The first three tunes kick ass.  Leading with the standard "You and Night and the Music," the CD moves on to a 7/4 version of the Gino Vannelli pop tune "Walter Whitman," which was originally written in a slow 4/4 arrangement.  I love the drums on this piece.  They are so understated that they grab your attention live a lover whispering in your ear.  These guys love to play with time signatures and their inventiveness works.  It doesn't feel capricious.  They really do justice to the tunes.  The title track, "From a Distance In My Mind's Eye" is a beautiful ballad written by Doug Bickel and it really grabbed me.  He also wrote the last tune which is a gospel piece entitled "If But In Another Lifetime."  Rob Levit fans will enjoy the dissonance of "After You" and "Apology."  Dave Brubeck fans will get a kick out of "In our Own Sweet Way."  Known for unique time signatures, he composed this in 4/4.  Our boys decided to pay homage to him by arranging their version in three different time signatures: 5/4, 4/4 and 3/4!  There is lots more to discover on this refreshing recording.  Don't let the mathematics scare you.  You've got four heavyweights leading this adventure in jazzercise.  So many people record before they or their compositions are ripe.  This recording is as tasteful as an apple falling off a tree.