Review Summary: Another solid entry from Aaron Parks.
Little Big III—the next in the series of chamber jazz albums from Aaron Parks—is an /exercise in palatability. What it lacks in adventurousness, it makes up for in grace and charm. In forty-three minutes Parks’ quartet engages the listener in a series of breezy tunes that keep things interesting without trying too hard. The album isn’t exactly exceptional or masterful—but it’s undeniably pretty, and its tight composition keeps the flow of the album moving at a pleasantly brisk pace. Its laid back vibe sometimes acts as a double-edged sword in that it sometimes feels like background music, but at the same time I can assure you that if you put this album on for a night with guests, it would more than likely elevate the experience. There are, of course, some pretty nifty and even stellar spots throughout
Little Big III—but at the end of the day it’s a solid (if slightly shallow) jazz record that hits most of the right spots without hitting many wrong ones.
