Prisoner of Love [Limited Edition] [Remastered] by Kenny Garrett (CD, 1989)

WEA Japan

4943674161898

23050180563

Darryl Jones, Miles Davis, Ricky Wellman, Dennis Chambers, Foley, Kenny Garrett, Marcus Miller

CD

1989

Prisoner of Love [Limited Edition] [Remastered]

Jazz

Altoist Kenny Garrett's second recording as a leader (following an earlier effort for Criss Cross) is a surprising dud, especially compared to his later (and near-classic) recordings. The first three selections find Garrett sticking to the melody over automatic pilot rhythms in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a cross between Grover Washington Jr. and Stanley Turrentine. "Blue Moon" in particular is a turkey with the embarrassing arrangement altering the chord structure for the worse, and the remainder of this album is not much better. The most notable aspect to Prisoner Of Love is that Miles Davis (who was Garrett's employer at the time) makes two rare appearances as a sideman, but his muted ensemble work on the nursery rhyme melody of "Big Ol' Head" and "Free Mandela" is as forgettable as virtually this entire misfire. ~ Scott Yanow

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