When Lights Are Low

Recorded in 1978 and released in 1979 on the Concord Jazz label, 'When Lights Are Low' represents Kenny Burrell's transition into his elder statesman phase. Moving away from the harder-edged soul-jazz of his early Blue Note years, this session emphasizes the 'Concord Sound' - clean, professional, and deeply rooted in swing and mainstream jazz traditions. The tracklist is a curated selection of standards, including Benny Carter's title track and the Basie-associated 'Li'l Darlin,' played with an almost meditative restraint. While Scott Yanow of AllMusic famously critiqued the album for being 'overly safe,' the record has found a dedicated audience among hi-fi enthusiasts and jazz purists who value Burrell's impeccable tone and melodic economy. It stands as a testament to the guitarist's ability to maintain a blues-drenched soulfulness even within a highly polished, 'polite' studio environment.