Bill Cunliffe It's About Love CD

It's About Love, an acoustic post-bop date that pianist Bill Cunliffe co-leads with saxman Gary Foster, is subtitled The Music of Reed Kotler. Upon seeing that name, some listeners are bound to ask, "Who is Reed Kotler?" -- and the answer is that Kotler is a talented but underexposed jazz composer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Although Kotler isn't well known, Cunliffe and Foster obviously think highly of his work; It's About Love marks the second time the improvisers have devoted an entire album to his compositions. They have good taste; Kotler often writes attractive melodies, and it's nice to see some jazzmen acknowledging a lesser known composer instead of confining themselves to overdone Tin Pan Alley standards that have long since been beaten to death. (Does the jazz world really need 5,000 new recordings of "My Funny Valentine" in the 21st century?) As it turns out, Kotler's melodies are perfect for what Cunliffe and Foster wanted It's About Love to be: an often romantic, generally laid-back and relaxed post-bop album. This 2003 date doesn't focus on ballads exclusively, but it does make lyrical performances a high priority -- more often than not, It's About Love celebrates the kinder, gentler side of post-bop. Think of John Coltrane playing "Naima" and "Central Park West," Herbie Hancock doing "Dolphin Dance," or James Williams giving us "Alter Ego"; that's the sort of good-natured vibe that frequently prevails on this CD, which was produced by Cunliffe and Kotler and lists the latter as executive producer. Cunliffe and Foster are joined by bassist Jeff d'Angelo and drummer Tim Pleasant, both of whom do their part to make It's About Love the solid effort that it is. ~ Alex Henderson

Bill Cunliffe and Gary Foster, in a quartet setting, perform the compositions of Reed Kotler. The overall mood of the CD is romantic, with several Bossa Novas and Ballads, though there are some more lively uptempo tunes and even a gospel tune. Bill and G

Recorded at Castle Oaks Studios, Calabasas, California.

Personnel: Bill Cunliffe (piano); Gary Foster (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Tim Pleasant (drums).

Audio Mixer: Talley Sherwood.

Liner Note Author: Reed Kotler.

Recording information: Castle Oaks Studios, Calabasas, CA.

Arranger: Bill Cunliffe.

Personnel: Bill Cunliffe (piano); Gary Foster (saxophone); Jeff D'Angelo (bass); Tim Pleasant (drums).

JazzTimes (pp.116-17) - "First-call Foster has never sounded better. Every track is a highlight..."