Pianist Aaron Parks’ previous album Little Big III, his first for Blue Note since his 2008 record Invisible Cinema, pushed boundaries of what was acceptable as jazz. For his follow-up, he takes a step back from electronics and rock influences for an excursion into the old-fashioned sounds of an acoustic quartet. On By All Means, Park joins saxophonist Ben Solomon, bassist Ben Street, and legendary drummer Billy Hart for an expansive view into what the traditional set-up can accomplish.
Within the first three tracks alone Parks covers a lot of ground: the shimmering “For Maria José” puts more feeling into its balladic celebration of his spouse than the average tear-jerker, the opening “A Way” hearkens back to the ethereal sounds of his 2017 ECM disk Find the Way, and the shuffling “Parks Lope” swings harder in the old school sense that a local combo in a smoky club. From there the foursome eases into bluesy hard bop on “Anywhere Together,” exploits the swing potential of the waltz on “Little River,” and explores orchestral balladry without the orchestra on “Dense Phantasy.”
The album ends with a warm, lush bed of harmony entitled “Raincoat” that channels the feel of drizzle on a trusty garment in a way that Gene Kelly would approve. Parks has always been a melody first composer and player, and By All Means makes the most of its creator’s predilections.
