June 2008

Gerald Cleaver
Gerald Cleaver’s Detroit
Fresh Sound New Talent

By Forrest Dylan Bryant

Drummer Gerald Cleaver’s homage to his hometown is a no-nonsense affair, offering an unblinking portrait of the city’s bygone grandeur, rich jazz history and slow, sad decay yet still casting an optimistic eye toward the future. Weaving together sturdy postbop themes, insistent solos and brief free interludes, Cleaver’s muscular Violet Hour sextet tells this tale with masterful agility and insight. Cleaver is on fire throughout the set, matching thunderous rumbles with subtle swing, and commanding complete attention at all times in this bold, compelling statement.