NEW RELEASES

GROVER WASHINGTON JR.

“All My Tomorrows”

Columbia

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This album, while being touted as a “mainstream” session from saxman Washington, is really more high-quality easy-listening jazz, with tempos relaxed and solos reflecting the melodies of songs.

A man who knows how to deliver a melody with feeling, Washington is in good company here. The vehicles--”When I Fall in Love,” “Nature Boy,” the title track, Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed”--are first-rate, the arrangements by Larry Willis and Slide Hampton just-so.

Then there’s the elegant rhythm team of Hank Jones (piano), George Mraz (bass) and Billy Hart (drums) that gives the leader plush support, making him sound just at home here as he would in his usual jazz/funk realm.

Washington offers delicious soprano sax lines on the bossa nova “E Preciso Perdoar,” on the title track and on “Estate,” while his gritty tenor sax tones bounce with life on a vamp on “Nature Boy.” Freddie Cole (Nat’s brother) adds three tasteful vocals, and is joined by Jeanie Bryson on a fourth. Both brassman Eddie Henderson and pianist Jones deliver solos that exude warmth, energy and musicality.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good, recommended), four stars (excellent).