Lee McKinney REFLECTION IN TWO SHADES

June 22, 2024

LEE McKINNEY

REFLECTION IN TWO SHADES

Summit Records

Lee McKinney, drums/composer/arranger; Matt Cooper, piano; Chris Berg, acoustic bass; Greg Abate, alto & soprano saxophone/flute.

“Reflection in Two Shades” celebrates a major step forward in Lee McKinney’s career. He not only plays drums, but he has composed all the songs, beginning with “A Shade of Jade” that is both melodic and energetic. Greg Abate on alto saxophone takes off on an improvised solo that is brilliant. Afterwards, Lee McKinney enters with a stellar drum solo that elevates the moment. This song sounds like a jazz standard and the quartet plays it with passion.

“I’ve had it in the back of my mind for a long time that I wanted to make a CD of all-original material. These songs were written over a long period of time. …some are new,” McKinney shares in his press package.

I think it’s so impressive to hear such well-structured songs coming from a drummer. Track #2 is titled “A Living Doll.” That’s an old saying from the forties that described a good-looking female. Today it might be referring to an A1 character. Times have changed, but the music Lee McKinney offers us is timeless. His tunes are true to the bebop era, but also, (like this one), steeped in Latin flavor and more modern. Matt Cooper steps forward on piano during the arrangement of “A Living Doll” and shows off his mad technique and inspired creativity.

“A piano friend of mine from Oregon, Matt Cooper, was my first choice and was fortunately available. He was actually a teacher of mine during my senior year in college,” McKinney sings his praises about his friend and pianist who he contracted for this project.

His tune, “Lenwood” is another Straight-ahead gem, sparkling under the guidance of these excellent musicians. Greg Abate is masterful on his alto horn and after establishing the melody, veers into the atmosphere to improvise. I was happy to hear Chris Berg stretch out on his double bass and play a brief, but innovative solo before Lee McKinney entered on his trap drums, offering a flurry of drum licks and technique. On “The Bebop Vampire” the quartet picks the tempo up, spreading wings and flying across my listening room. I cannot say enough about these wonderful compositions penned by McKinney. His melodic mastery is on display as well as his awesome drum talents. I enjoyed it when the band traded fours with the bandleader and let us soak up his juicy percussive talents during this arrangement. He flips the coin on a tune called “Rebecca” and shows us his tender side. During this ballad, I am reminded of Thelonious Monk’s writing. Every song on this album is well-executed and brilliantly written. “Bird’s Eye View” is absolutely a tribute tune to the great Charlie Parker. I could listen to Lee McKinney’s music all day and never get bored.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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