Two by Four

Released in 1989 on EmArcy, Two by Four is a pivotal showcase for Marc Johnson, a bassist perhaps best known for his tenure in Bill Evans' final trio. This album functions as a spiritual tribute to Evans, featuring several standards associated with the pianist, such as 'Time Remembered' and 'Beautiful Love.' The record is structured as a series of duets, pairing Johnson with a rotating cast of elite collaborators including Gary Burton, Toots Thielemans, and Lucy Crane. By stripping away the traditional jazz ensemble, Johnson forces the bass into a melodic lead role, demonstrating incredible technical facility and a deep, woody tone. Critics, including those at AllMusic, have lauded the album for its sophisticated arrangements and emotional depth, particularly noting how Thielemans' harmonica adds a unique, mournful texture to the proceedings. It remains a high-water mark for duet recordings in the jazz canon.