1993 · Album
where are we
Recorded 1993 · Warner Bros. Records · Produced by Matt Pierson
Searching Together in Real Time
Redman and his band ask the question directly, then spend the album genuinely trying to answer it.
Where Are We is Joshua Redman asking something real—not philosophically, but musically. It's a straightforward title for a record that refuses easy answers. Early in his career, Redman had already proven himself a player with serious chops and even more serious taste in collaborators. This album sits at a moment where he's not trying to establish dominance or flash technique; he's actually listening, and the whole group sounds like they're discovering the music together rather than executing a plan.
What makes this record distinct is how honest it feels. The interplay between the instruments has space—nobody's crowding anybody else. When the band locks in, it's because they're reacting to what's happening in the room, not because they've memorized arrangements. Redman's saxophone playing here is conversational rather than showy. He'll lay back, let the rhythm section breathe, then come in with something that feels inevitable rather than clever. The material itself is a mix that keeps things from getting too comfortable: you get standards refracted through modern ears, and original compositions that sound lived-in rather than freshly written.
If you're new to Redman, this isn't necessarily where to start—something like Wish (1993) might be more immediately welcoming. But if you've spent time with his other records and want to hear him in a moment of genuine curiosity and restraint, Where Are We delivers. It's not his most celebrated work, but it's the kind of record that rewards repeated listening because the band keeps revealing small details and conversations you missed the first few times.
Who's playing
Joe Sandersbass
Aaron Parkspiano
Peter Bernsteinguitar
Kurt Rosenwinkelguitar
Joshua Redmansaxophone
Nicholas Paytontrumpet
Brian Bladedrums
Joel Rossvibraphone
Where next?
More by Joshua Redman
All 15 albums →
The musicians on this record
Gumbo Nouveau 1996
Nicholas Payton
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
A Lovesome Thing 2012
Kurt Rosenwinkel
plays guitar here
plays guitar here
The Parable of the Poet 2022
Joel Ross
plays vibraphone here
plays vibraphone here
