Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Patrick Cornelius: Maybe Steps

Patrick Cornelius: Maybe Steps

By Bruce Lindsay
September 24, 2011
View read count

Maybe Steps is alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius' third album, and his first for the excellent Los Angeles-based Posi-Tone Records. He's joined by the talented rhythm section of pianist

Gerald Clayton

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerald Clayton, bassist

Peter Slavov

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Slavov and drummer

" data-original-title="" title="">Kendrick Scott in a graceful and melodically strong performance, mostly of his original tunes.

Cornelius' compositions swing gracefully, with seemingly effortless ease on the part of all of the musicians. "Maybe Steps" typifies this relaxed groove; the tune also appears on Cornelius' second album, Fierce (Whirlwind Recordings, 2010) where it was characterized by a brighter sound and

Michael Janisch

bass
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Janisch's tough bass line. This new version is more effective, the subtle playing of Clayton, Slavov and Scott providing a perfectly judged backdrop to Cornelius' warm alto. On "Echoes of Summer," Cornelius is joined by guitarist

Miles Okazaki

guitar
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Okazaki, the two instruments complementing each other sonically and giving added depth to its melody.

Ispired by Cornelius' baby daughter, "Bella's Dreaming" is a lovely ballad that displays the saxophonist's masterful control of his instrument. "Brother Gabriel," which Cornelius first recorded with the Transatlantic Collective on Travelling Song (Woodville Records, 2009), gets its inspiration from singer/songwriter Peter Gabriel's reflective and downbeat "Here Comes The Flood." Once again, Cornelius produces a beautifully controlled performance, this time on a tune that is a touch more intense than most in this collection. "Le Rendez-vous Final" swings gently, thanks especially to Scott's drumming, and yet it carries an air of sadness that is somehow at odds with this rhythm.

Pianist

Asen Doykin

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Asen Doykin duets with Cornelius on an understated and delicate performance of Kurt Weill's melancholic "My Ship"; slow, measured and emotive, it's a superb interpretation of this classic song. Sir

George Shearing

piano
1919 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">George Shearing's "Conception" is more upbeat, driven by Scott's percussion and given added depth, once again, by Okazaki's deft guitar work.

Cornelius' star continues to rise. Maybe Steps is his strongest outing yet, demonstrating his all-too-rare ability to combine the writing of memorable and accessible tunes with a performance that engages with, and enhances, their beauty and emotional connection.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Christmas Gift; Maybe Steps; Bella's Dreaming; Brother Gabriel; Shiver Song; Into the Stars; A Day Like Any Other; Echoes of Summer; My Ship; Conception; Le Rendez-vous Final.

Personnel

Patrick Cornelius

saxophone, alto

Patrick Cornelius: alto saxophone; Gerald Clayton: piano; Peter Slavov: bass; Kendrick Scott: drums; Mile Okazaki: guitar (6, 8); Assen Doykin: piano (9).

Album information

Title: Maybe Steps | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Evolution
< Previous

Take Five With Lauren Henderson
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.