Animated and smoothly versed, classical pianist David Budway breaks out into rapturous intervals alternated by structured motifs in his new recording A New Kiss from Max Jazz Records. The mirth-soaked vamps of "Japanese Brunch" give piano barroom music a shot of adrenaline as Budway is accompanied by the swirling improvisations of saxophonist Marcus Strickland with a responsive rhythm section carriaged by bassist Eric Revis and drummer Jeff Watts. The silky furls of Branford Marsalis' sax along "Lonely Cane" reach high and low carving lush valleys and peaks in the track, changing course in the ragtime flusters of "Strike Up The Band."
"Love You Tonight" has a nocturnal tint as Budway's verses swoon lovingly winged in glittery sprigs as the jiggling keys of "Stinky" bristle and soar. Budway's interpretation of Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" bend and flex in liberal strokes switching to a swinging romp in "Maintain Speed Through Tunnel." The percolating keys of "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" are sonic stimulation segueing into the suave ringlets of the title track. Revis' plucked strings in "PHI" are elegantly feathered in horns and keys moving into a sensuous middle eastern tango in "Sama'I Shat Arabud."
Budway's mastering of freestyle improvisations and classically structured motifs shown in A New Kiss bud into new interpretations of familiar compositions. His experiences performing with jazz legends such as Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Bellson, Joe Pass, Jimmy Heath and many others are evident and have certainly motivated him to strike out on his own in the jazz emporium.