Buster Williams Archive

Cyrus Chestnut – Natural Essence – HighNote

by Audiophile Audition | Aug 19, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

Cyrus Chestnut – Natural Essence – HighNote HCD 7283, 63:10 ****: This is a delightfully invigorating trio session. (Cyrus Chestnut – piano; Buster Williams – bass; Lenny White – drums) Cyrus Chesnut’s musical demeanour is a combination of soulful and probing. In his latest release for HighNote Records entitled Natural Essence, he and his cohorts bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White, confirm that their similar ideas and personality make for a session that the listener will find clearly appealing. The recital’s opening track is the Joe Henderson funkaloo number “Mamacita” on which the band finds a groove that they rock out with brio as each member struts his stuff. Chestnut has always had an affinity with spiritually-based music. His own composition “Faith Amongst The Unknown” falls into this bedrock in a supple yet assertive way. “I Cover The Waterfront” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman  and was inspired by the 1932 book of the same name by Max Miller. Since that time, the tune has been covered by many artists including Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. Chestnut and the trio take the tune at a sprightly pace grounded by the pianist’s impeccable touch. […]