Nathen Page - Page-Ing Nathen (1982)

Tracklist

01. Moment's Notice
02. Sunday Morning Samba
03. Reba
04. Gypsy
05. Here's That Rainy Day
06. Inner Urge

Nathen Page - Guitar
Kenny Barron - Piano
Buster Williams - Bass
Billy Hart - Drums
Pete Portee - Bass

Florida resident Nathen Page is self taught, individualistic and has complete command of the guitar. His technique on the stringed instrument is unorthodox, but the results will galvanize the listener. Regrettably, his reputation as a jazz musician is much more pronounced among his fellow musicians than with the general jazz audience. Originally released in 1982 and remastered and reissued in 2000, Page-ing Nathen is one of his most critically acclaimed albums. He was able to command the attendance of a first line rhythm section of Buster Williams, Billy Hart and Kenny Barron. They go after the three Page originals determined to expose and dissect each and every rhythmic and harmonic element of these works. It's a joint effort, with relatively little individual performing. Page shows that he is by no means a one dimensional composer. The strutting, probing, jagged paced "Sunday Morning Samba" is the antitheses of a slow, almost lazy moving, very pretty "Reba" named in honor of his niece. The quartet engages in group extemporization making for an attractive and engaging ten minutes of musical experience. The three standards are given more than respectful readings. Typical is the treatment of "Inner Urge" which kicks off with a drum chorus by Hart before his cohorts come in to explore Joe Henderson's bop classic from the 1960s for more than seven minutes. "Here's That Rainy Day" is a vehicle to allow Page to exhibit his ability to overlay one chord on another, one reason for his unique sound. This track also features some delicate pianism by Barron. Page is a guitar player who assuredly deserves greater recognition.

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