Andy Summers takes on one of his greatest challenges yet – essaying the music of his idol, legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk.
This album is interesting on so many levels.For one thing, it's quite something to hear the music of a piano-playing bebop pioneer from the perspective of a guitarist primarily known for rock music.
Also, considering that Monk is to music what Pablo Picasso is to art, the songs on this CD are vastly different from what Police and Andy Summers fans are used to.
In addition, Summers enlists the musical support of a veritable who's who of contemporary jazz players, including Dave Carpenter on bass, Peter Erskine and Bernie Dresel on drums, Joey de Francesco on Hammond B-3 organ, Hank Roberts on cello, Steve Tavaglione on saxophone and clarinet, and Walt Fowler on trumpet. Even Summers' former Police band mate Sting shows up to provide sultry, breathy vocals on “'Round Midnight.”
While this might be an atypically difficult listen for Police and Andy Summers fans, this is a great album with which to broaden their musical horizons.
--Raj Manoharan
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