Ruslan Khain: For Medicinal Purposes Only!

Track

For Medicinal Purposes Only!

Artist

Ruslan Khain (bass)

CD

For Medicinal Purposes Only! (Smalls Records)

Buy Track

Musicians:

Ruslan Khain (bass),

Yoshi Okazaki (trumpet), Chris Byars (tenor sax, flute), Richard Clements (piano), Phil Stewart (drums)

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Composed by Ruslan Khain

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Recorded: New York, July 6, 2008

Albumcoverruslankhain-formedicinalpurposesonly

Rating: 85/100 (learn more)

"For Medicinal Purposes Only!" is an up-tempo swinger—a thorny, cool jazz-ish melody played with hard-bop abandon by bassist Ruslan Khain and his able colleagues. Tenor saxophonist Chris Byars's and trumpeter Yoshi Okazaki's sinuous, fiery yet even-keeled solos stand out. Khain is a fine soloist as well, though he's ill served by the muddy recording of his instrument. He and drummer Phil Stewart form a good rhythm team, maintaining a swinging, smooth and assured tempo. As a composer, Khain's complex melodic line is worthy of Gerry Mulligan or Shorty Rogers. Byars and Okazaki play it down with admirable precision and fire. A good choice for the title track—this is arguably the cookin'-est thing on the album.

Reviewer: Chris Kelsey

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