Beyond Words - Plak

'Creative vocalist Bobby McFerrin's return to Blue Note after a nearly ten-year absence indicates a possible desire for a return to improvised jazz, and in a way distancing himself from the classical works he had become increasingly associated with. Working again with pianist Chick Corea and producer Linda Goldstein, his 2002 album, 'Beyond Words', is reminiscent of the other McFerrin/Corea collaborations ('Play', 'The Mozart Sessions'). Ably backed by Corea's bright piano, Omar Hakim on drums, and Richard Bona on bass, the songs feel to be all the same texture for the most part. 'Beyond Words' is a moody and dark affair, with subtle layers of McFerrin's undulating vocals weaving in and out of the musical bed. It is an excellently performed and cleanly produced document of both McFerrin and Corea's abilities, ideal for gentle background textures on a night in alone.

Recording: at the Hit Factory, New York, and Lake of the Isles Studio, Minneapolis (USA)

Production: Linda Goldstein'