| Jazz |
A legendary album by jazz legends—how could one possibly refuse? And for the younger audience who may not yet be familiar with the bassist Ron Carter, here is a glimpse into his remarkable journey as a musician.
From 1963 to 1968, he was a member of the illustrious Miles Davis Quintet. Over the course of his six-decade career, he has recorded alongside countless jazz giants: Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, Bobby Timmons, Eric Dolphy, Cannonball Adderley, and Jaki Byard, to name but a few. His artistry can be heard on a wealth of seminal albums from the 1960s and 1970s, including Speak No Evil, Maiden Voyage, Red Clay, Speak Like a Child, Nefertiti, and Miles Smiles, among many others.
Imagine, if you will, such a luminous and far-reaching musical experience—Miles Davis himself recognizing the genius that Ron Carter would become. If you seek a hero, this musician embodies one in every sense, revered by all, his kindness as boundless as his talent. Resolutely modern, it is only natural to find him alongside Arbenz and Arbenz. Just last year, I was already extolling Michael Arbenz’s album A Point of View—a review you can find here: Paris-Move Review
Florian, an equally brilliant drummer as his brother, joins forces with their distinguished and extraordinary guest, Ron Carter, to revisit certain pieces in ways that may challenge even the most attuned ears. Their intricate arrangements transcend mere reinterpretation; they offer us a boundless creative delight, defying all conventions.
You thought you knew Ron Carter? Here, he once again finds a way to astonish his many admirers, delivering performances as intellectual as they are ingenious, where past and present intertwine seamlessly. The compositions of the Arbenz brothers follow suit, reinforcing the impression throughout this album that these three musicians have been playing together for decades.
But for those who may have missed a chapter in jazz history, here is a brief introduction to the Arbenz brothers. Twin siblings Florian and Michael Arbenz, born in 1975 into a family of musicians, have long shared a deep history of musical exploration and creation. This profound connection manifests itself in their collaborations, where they have cultivated a singular musical voice, shaped by the heroes of their youth.
Over the years, the Arbenz brothers have worked alongside many of their idols—Greg Osby, Dave Liebman, Marc Johnson, Kirk Lightsey, and Bennie Maupin, among others. These collaborations have honed their ability to provide an artistic sanctuary for their distinguished guests while maintaining their own distinctive style and personal vision of jazz history.
This recording marks a major milestone in their artistic journey. For Michael and Florian, Ron Carter was one of the most formative influences of their musical upbringing. The Miles Davis recordings featuring Carter were a staple in the Arbenz household, played on repeat for decades. Ron Carter stands as a towering figure in jazz history, embodying like no other the adventurous, groove-infused, and open-spirited essence of the genre.
In many ways, this album feels like a Miles-esque apparition of compositions fallen from the heavens, resurrected from the 1960s. It is an album to be regarded as a museum-worthy masterpiece, where the beauty of art lies not only in discovery but in the contemplation of these daring interpretations. Certainly, this is not an album for everyone, but for true connoisseurs of jazz—those who appreciate a music that dares to break free from convention and offer deeply personal reimaginings—this is a revelation.
Indispensable, you ask? Without a doubt!
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, February 11th 2025
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