Randy Napoleon's "The Door Is Open" Album Scores 4-Stars With Downbeat Magazine!
Written by Bill Milkoski, Downbeat Magazine
— May 2024
The Door Is Open (OA2; 53:17 ****) is Randy Napoleon’s second volume dedicated to the music of eccentric Michigan-based composer Gregg Hill. Backed by a core of group of pianist Rick Roe, bassists Rodney Whitaker and Lucas LaFave, drummer Quincy Davis and vocalist Aubrey Johnson, whose facile, discipline doubling elevates the proceedings, the guitarist brings a warm, appealing tone and Wis-inspired sensibility to the varied program. Guitarist and vocalist execute intricate unisons on the vibrant title track, the buoyant “Escape To Cat Island” and the delicate titular jazz waltz while Johnson steals the show with her freewheeling scatting on the temp-shifting “Spa-Taneity.” Napoleon shines on the all-out swingers “Skyline” and “the Last Pop Tune,” the “Cantaloupe Island”-sounding “Motel Blues” and the poignant ballad “April Song.”
