ArtsFuse Review: Rudresh Mahanthappa’s "Hero Trio” — To the Rescue
“Joined on this disc by François Moutin (bass) and Rudy Royston (drums), Mahanthappa, who is the Director of Jazz at Princeton University, visits tunes by or associated with Charlie Parker, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, and others. Most likely to honor his source material, the leader emphasizes the lyricism of the selected songs; he also relishes how comfortably they reward exploration. You are likely to come away humming many of the tunes, perhaps dancing a little to the funked-up rhythms. You will also be impressed at how nimbly advanced techniques are employed for the sake of such pleasing ends.”