Record Reviews

GARY BURTON ~ GUIDED TOUR MACK AVENUE 1074 (Barcode: 673203107427) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is an album by American vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist, recorded with his “New Gary Burton Quartet”, the last quartet he led before his retirement in 2017. This would be the last studio album Burton recorded. It is 2nd album by this quartet, which was preceded by the 1st album from 2011, called “Common GroundFind albums with this title”. The quartet includes guitarist Julian LageFind albums by this artist, bassist Scott ColleyFind albums by this artist and Mexican drummer Antonio SanchezFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, with two being original compositions by Burton, three by Lage, two by Sanchez, one by Colley, one by pianist / composer Fred HerschFind albums by this artist, and finally one is a standard. The album offers wonderful sound quality. The music is all strictly within melodic mainstream Jazz idiom, brilliantly executed by Burton, who is in perfect form and the young excellent musicians, who accompany him. Although not composed by Burton, the music is very much within his usual style, which prefers the European Jazz esthetics, with complex harmonies and subtle lyricism, which were always his trademark. Therefore, although not innovative or surprising, the music is a perfect continuation of Burton’s recorded legacy. The dialogues between the vibraphone and guitar, which are a leading feature in Burtons groups (Larry Coryell, Mick Goodrick, Pat Metheny and others) through the years, proves again to be his favorite harmonic collaboration, which never fails to deliver. Overall, this is a beautiful album in every respect, which for the many Burton’s followers (yours truly included) delivers exactly what they love to hear and serves as an ideal closure of his long career, which enriched our life for so many years.

Updated: 15/09/2025Posted: 15/09/2025

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