Wynton Marsalis completes his musical journey into the new millennium with the seventh and final release in his “Swinging into the 21st Century” series. Reeltime may be the best soundtrack that never was. The twenty-one songs on the disc were originally composed for the film “Rosewood,” but were not used. Of all the CDs in the “Swinging” series, Reeltime may be my favorite. The CD clearly reveals Marsalis’ versatility as a composer and musician. The tunes cover a range of genres, including traditional gospel, blues, traditional jazz, swing and big band jazz. Guests include violinists Mark O’Connor, banjoist Don Vappie, clarinetist Michael White, fiddler Claude Williams, pianists Eric Reed and Marcus Roberts and vocalists Shirley Caesar and Cassandra Wilson. In the liner notes, Marsalis states that the CD offered a great opportunity for him to expore his early childhood roots in the rural towns of Breaux Bridge, Little Farms and Kenner, Louisiana. The music on this record certainly seemed appropriate for a long drive in the country and through small towns.
The main tune “Rosewood,” featuring Wilson, is a beautiful and soulful example of the vocalist’s trademark modern blues sound. On two tunes, Shirley Caesar proves why she is reigning queen of gospel music. The vocalist come close to stealing the show on this record, but Marsalis puts forth grand performances on trumpet on several tunes, including a stirring solo performance on the tune “After the Dead.” Trumpeter Marcus Pintrup is stellar throughout, as are Williams, O’Connor and banjoist Mark Schatz.
This review would not be complete if I did not remind Marsalis enthusiasts who have collected all seven releases in the series that they should now mail in their “Official Swinging Into the 21st Playing Card” complete with the seven gold trumpet stickers in order to receive the “free CD and beautiful slipcase to house the whole series.” The free CD will be an advanced copy of Marsalis’ “Marciac Suite” which will not be available in stores until Spring 2000. At $15-$20 a pop for the seven CDs in the series, it was the least the record company could do.
