Wallace Roney - Mystikal
Artist: Wallace Roney
Title: Mystikal
Label: High Note Records
Catalog Number: 3237571452
Reviewed by Eddie Becton
Wallace Roney’s latest release, Mystikal, is a collage of creative selections. Roney, one of today’s most skillful trumpeters, is accompanied by a group of talented artists who cover a broad range of selections from the classic Temptations song,Just My Imagination to rapper Slick Rick’s Hey Young World.
Just My Imagination is perhaps the most aurally enticing track on the disc. The band executes a wonderful, semi-cosmic rendition of this soulful classic, and Roney is particularly lyrical, pensively laying notes with meticulous phrasing. Geri Allen’s (piano) harmonic accoutrements are especially soothing, and her solo is reminiscent of pianist McCoy Tyner’s mellifluous touch. Similarly, Poetic is another gem that displays Roney’s airy, delicate approach to the trumpet. Matt Garrison’s walking bass pattern gives this track a happy-go-lucky, finger snapping feel while Allen’s notes are as lyrical as birds chirping during sunrise.
I’ll Keep Loving You is a duet featuring Roney and Allen at their best. Allen’s lyrical approach to the piano adds to the pensive, emotional appeal of the track while Roney plays over and around her lines. This truly is a beautiful song and arguably one of the most passionate ballad’s Roney has ever produced (I’ll Keep Loving You is best experienced with eyes closed and wide open).
Mystikal’s diverse sounds and selections do not detract from Roney’s skillful execution. And, Geri Allen’s presence throughout takes Mystikal to an even higher level of harmonic delight, so kudos to Roney for choosing the accomplished pianist. The consistency Roney exhibits throughout is testimony that he is comfortable playing music outside the jazz genre. The irony, however, is that he is able to jazz-up any style of music, which is a talent, not an exercise in puppetry.
Track Listing: Atlantis/ Mystikal/ Stargaze/ Just My Imagination/ Hey Young World/ Poetic/ Baby’s Breath/ Nice Town/ I’ll Keep Loving You.
Personnel: Wallace Roney – trumpet; Antoine Roney – soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet; Geri Allen – piano, Fender Rhodes, keyboards; Adam Holzman – keyboards, Fender Rhodes; Matt Garrison – acoustic and electric bass; Eric Allen – drums; Bobby Thomas, Jr. – percussion; Val Jeanty – turntables.