Karl Denson: Dance Lesson #2 : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Those who have heard Karl Denson's ferociously unfettered sax playing with his band Tiny Universe (or even in a more regimented setting with Lenny Kravitz) tend to be persuaded that he's one of the artists who will be keeping jazz vital in this new century. Unlike other players who are easily pigeonholed, Denson's sole musical agenda seems to be finding what works. On Dance Lesson #2, his first major-label release, what works is a series of roiling grooves overlaid with Denson's tirelessly inventive soloing -- building on styles forged by Roland Kirk, Sonny Rollins and others -- spelled only by similarly stellar efforts from his sidemen. Recruiting only drummer Zak Najor from his empathetic road band, Denson is surrounded here by the likes of Medeski, Martin & Wood bassist Chris Wood, Upsetters' guitar groovemaster Melvin Sparks, organist Leon Spencer, Jr. and scratcher DJ Logic. Standout tracks are the lyrical snippet "A Shorter Path #1," its amplified big brother "A Shorter Path #2" and the relentlessly funky twelve-minute "Who Are You?" on which Denson finally gets to properly unwind on his instrument. As fine as this album is, though, it is a mere map of the journeys his music takes in concert. Keep an eye on him! (JIM WASHBURN - May 7, 2001)