From Day to Day

by Ken DrydenMulgrew Miller's fifth CD as a leader is a potent trio affair with bassist Robert Hurst and the highly in-demand drummer Kenny Washington, focusing mostly on the pianist's strong originals. All of Miller's compositions hold interest, especially the soft waltz "From Day to Day" and cooking hard bop vehicle "Playthang." The leisurely "What a Difference a Day Made" is a soulful throwback to the early '60s, while his solo interpretation of "More Than You Know" is spacious, delicate, and lyrical. His romp through Miles Davis' "Four" is another gem, though it is inexplicably omitted from the CD booklet, evidently overlooked, as it was not present in the LP edition of this release. Sadly, with Fantasy's sale of the Landmark catalog, this enjoyable CD lapsed from print.