Adept, emotive and exceptionally talented: these traits were recognizable about Brian Culbertson’s compositions and musicality when he was a 20-year-old college student back in the day at DePaul University (1994 to be exact), and if anything, his confidence and musicianship have matured over time. Some performers loathe going back into their earlier selections, especially when one has the sales and status that Culbertson’s achieved, but in Brian’s case, revisiting the juggernaut that launched his career was just too irresistible to pass up; hence the inspired expansion of that seminal debut, now entitled Another Long Night Out.
Because of the success and star power Brian’s achieved since then, ….Out is retooled literally (via state-of-the-art equipment vs. the demos that comprised Long Night Out) and figuratively, a fitting choice since this CD is also the debut release from his newly-formed label, BCM. Jazz lovers will relish the addition of veteran instrumentalists featured on each track (Lee Ritenour, Candy Dulfer, Eric Marienthal, Jimmy Haslip, etc.) and BC followers will appreciate the faithful, yet more luxuriously-splayed renditions—-“Fullerton Ave” retains its energy and glib feel with Chuck Loeb on guitar, Jonathan Butler’s fluid tenor is woven delicately and hauntingly throughout “Changing Tides” and “Horizon” combines the prowess of two top-notch juniors, as in Paul Jackson and Ray Parker, with a subtle infusion of trumpet by Michael “Patches” Stewart.
Fresh yet familiar, with touches of passionate precision by Culbertson and Co., Another Long Night Out celebrates the fruit of Brian’s enviable career thus far while paying tribute to its humble roots. It also showcases the proficiency of his time-tested skill sets with old school and new school peers, an accomplishment that discriminating listeners will welcome and revel in. Highly Recommended.
By Melody Charles
