Colors of a Dream

Released in 2013 on HighNote Records, Colors of a Dream represents a significant textural shift for Tom Harrell. The most notable characteristic of the album is the absence of a chordal instrument like piano or guitar, a move that highlights Harrell's sophisticated arranging skills for horns. The ensemble is a unique sextet featuring two bassists: long-time collaborator Ugonna Okegwo and the versatile Esperanza Spalding, who also provides wordless vocals. This configuration allows for a dense, contrapuntal low-end that compensates for the missing piano. Critics from JazzTimes and Down Beat noted the album's 'opaque' and 'varied' soundscapes, praising its departure from Harrell's previous post-bop structures. The inclusion of Jaleel Shaw and Wayne Escoffery on saxophones allows Harrell to utilize block-chord voicings that give the record a modern, almost indie-rock influenced harmonic density. It remains one of the most experimental yet accessible entries in his later discography.