All modern saxophonists stand in the shadow of
John Coltrane, but that shadow must be overwhelming for his son,
Ravi Coltrane.
Ravi certainly opened himself up to criticism by pursuing the saxophone as his main instrument, but he was smart enough not to play in the style of his father, opting to follow the influence of straight-ahead hard boppers like
Joe Henderson. It was a wise move, since
Ravi has a rich, warm tone and deft style that makes his melodic, well-structured compositions all the more appealing.
Moving Pictures, his debut record, is mainly comprised of originals, with covers of
Henderson,
McCoy Tyner,
Horace Silver, and
Wayne Shorter songs thrown in for good measure. Working with drummer
Jeff "Tain" Watts, bassist
Lonnie Plaxico, and pianist
Michael Cain,
Coltrane achieves a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere on his first session. It may not offer anything new, but
Moving Pictures is a promising debut from a young saxophonist who may have a lot to offer on his own terms. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
