(Outside In Music)

Of Colors, the phenomenal debut release of violin virtuoso Curtis Stewart is as colorful as the cover implies. Stewart brings a witty and fresh perspective to classical as with no hint whatsoever of gimmickry. He lights up compositions by everyone from Bach to Coltrane and does with great flair. Stewart adds elements of beat box along with dissonant sounds and words like a painter might use a splatter brush or sponge to add texture to a canvas. It’s hearing someone cut a new path to a familiar place. Stewart, who provided all of the arrangements on this effort, is joined on Alex Hills on keyboards; Alex Wyatt on percussion; Fung Chern Hwei on violin; Joanna Mattrey on viola; Jeremy Harman on cello and Tyler Gilmore on electronic sounds. An outstanding work by a bold and very talented player that should be heard.