Kenny Burrell
Midnight Blue

THE REVIEW

Kenny Burrell is a high-caliber American artist, born in 1931. A world-famous teacher and guitarist among industry insiders, he is largely unknown by the general public, despite his unmistakable style and the great skills he possesses. His style is oriented towards jazz bebop melodic lines with blues nuances. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside great artists like Coltrane, Getz, Evans, Holiday, and Jimmi Smith.

Among his more raw and edgy works, I want to mention "Midnight Blue" from 1963, Blue Note label. It's 9 masterful and sumptuous tracks with a recording quality that is not perfect, but for this reason, the sound feels more intimate, vibrant, and heartfelt, which is why I strongly recommend listening to it. His style is of an impressive delicacy and his sound is full of a distinctly recognizable personal depth. A great artist.

The percussion and the edgy groove of "Chitlins Con Carne" are fascinating, then you move on to the reflective "Mule" and continue with the refined, pure, very sad, and unforgettable "Soul Lament". "Midnight Blue" is a classic for a smoky nightclub, a formally perfect showpiece, sinuous and creeping, with a melancholic and effective groove. "Wavy Gravy" has blues accents, "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You" features soft and introspective passages, loaded with romance on the borders of the caressing. "Saturday Night Blues" has very classic melodies with the tenor sax inspiring its radical-blues mood. "Kenny's Sound" is jazzy and vibrant with a cheerful and captivating theme: in this piece, you can perceive Kenny's speed and skill. The album closes with "K Twist", always in a blues style with a jazz heart.

In his career, Kenny has graced thousands of stages, and in 2006 he reached a major milestone: the hundredth album he played on. Yet he has always remained in the shadows and will likely only gain greater popularity once he’s already underground and is recognized for the historical importance he deserves.