Cedar Walton's Colorful Piano in 1968
Walton plays with clarity and swing, nothing fancy, just solid modern jazz piano work.
Cedar Walton made Spectrum (1968) during a period when he was establishing himself as a reliable, intelligent piano player in the modern jazz world. The album sits in his catalog as solid mid-career work — not his most celebrated effort, but a good example of what he did well: smart playing, clean voicings, and a working musician's approach to the repertoire. If you know Walton only from his later albums or his work as a sideman, this record shows him leading his own date with focus and professionalism.
What you get here is straightforward modern jazz piano. Walton was influenced by the hard bop tradition and by the more cerebral approach of pianists like Bill Evans, but he didn't get lost in complexity. The playing is direct — he states ideas clearly, swings without forcing it, and knows when to sit back and leave space for other voices. The recording has that clean, slightly dry Prestige label sound from the late 1960s, which means you hear exactly what's happening without any production tricks. It's honest and unadorned.
This isn't the album to start with if you're new to Walton, and it's not his peak moment either. But if you've gotten into his other work and want to understand his approach during this period, or if you just want some reliable, no-nonsense modern jazz piano trio or small group playing, it delivers. Walton doesn't reach for anything beyond his abilities here, which is actually a strength — he plays what he knows, and he plays it well. Not every record needs to be a statement. Sometimes it's just a good day in the studio.
Who's playing
Richard Davisdouble bass
Cedar Waltonpiano
Clifford Jordantenor saxophone
Blue Mitchelltrumpet
Jack DeJohnettedrums
Where next?
More by Cedar Walton
All 42 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
