Kevin Eubanks - Guitarist (1983)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by a CD.

From the Eubanks website (gently edited for clarity):

His first album as a leader, Guitarist, was released on the Elektra/Musician label when Kevin was 25. It documented a sophisticated, nuanced voice on the instrument and was graced by the presence of some peers who are still performing with him today: tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore (Tonight Show Band member) and Kevin's brother Robin. Kevin’s cousins, the late bassist David Eubanks and the pianist Charles Eubanks, also appeared on the recording, which was so well received that it lead to a seven record recording contract with the GRP label, owned by Dave Grusin and the late Larry Rosen.

Not sure about "sophisticated" and "nuanced," but promotion is promotion. To me, the album is sort of a mixed bag of compositions with lots of flashy technique, but that's what I would expect from someone trying to find his voice. To my ears, he was heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery and I can't say as I blame any guitarist for listening to a lot of Montgomery's work. The playing is better than the writing on the Eubanks originals but he'd get better at both. Guitarist isn't something I come back to often, but we all gotta start somewhere.

Liner notes written by Eubanks himself.

Reviews/ratings:

• Musician: "enterprising, low-key hard bop"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #32
• Record World Jazz: #14

Tracks: 8 tracks, 4 of them Eubanks originals. My favorite tracks are the two on which Eubanks shines on solo acoustic guitar - the appropriately titled The Novice Bounce and the cover of Miles Davis's Blue In Green. Robin Eubanks shines on his arrangement of Jerome Kern's Yesterdays.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None