By Greg Turner, The Absolute Sound
Drummer Jonathan Barber is a young player who has toured and/or recorded with established players such as Pat Metheny, Nicholas Payton, Jeremy Pelt, and Steve Davis. On Barber’s second solo album, his quintet includes guitarist Andrew Renfroe, alto saxophonist Godwin Lewis, keyboardist Taber Gable, and bassist Matt Dwonszyk. Where some drummer-led sessions lean toward blowing sessions with an emphasis on chops, Barber displays sophistication as a composer, writing colorful songs with real melodic substance and harmonic sophistication. Read more here.