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According to the liner notes, there are “only a handful of people we can call true friends…those that stand by you in the best of times and hold you in the worst of times.”  In Valarie King’s case, they also create beautiful music together.  Joining this multitalented flautist on her latest release, Only Time Will Tell are a host of very gifted artists/friends.  The results are 14 tracks that range from romantic ballads, contemporary grooves and spicy salsa, to traditional jazz and timeless orchestral features.  As Paul Whiteman once said, “Jazz tickles your muscles, symphonies stretch your soul.”  Valarie King’s Only Time Will Tell, does both.   

King shines with City Lights, the lovely ensemble opener that puts a spotlight on her upbeat flute melody and the song’s composer, Greg Poree matches beautifully with his stunning acoustic guitar performance.  Night Crawlers, continues the groove as King lends a mysterious vibe with lower flute notes, while special guest, Patrice Rushen smolders on keys.  King takes lead vocals on Natalie Cole’s La Costa and this rendition showcases the gorgeous flute performance of Hubert Laws.  The song later segues into a punctuating salsa on Part II with King (flute),Nolan Shaheed (trumpet), Poree (guitar), Greg Cook (synthesizer) and Mark Cargill (violin). 

The title track, Only Time Will Tell is a romantic piece with symphonic elements performed by Cargill & the Tri-Ambient Orchestra, who are featured on several other tracks including the endearing ballad, Into Your Eyes.  There’s nothing quite like the shiver of real strings to complement the vibrato of King’s flute!

Only Time Will Tell is a record that has something for everyone, be it, King’s performances on a trio of instruments (for example, flute, piccolo and alto flute) on the exotic Burning Spear as well as, the globe-trotting Traveler.  There’s also the flavorful Da Chara, featuring the stunning guitar work of Anisa Angarola plus a funky Hot Slice with some smokin’ alto sax on the side (Jeff Clayton).  Then answering the call from jazz purists, Kingfisher (written by Clayton) provides the traditional quartet sounds of flute (King), piano (Rushen), drums (Ralph Penland) and bass (Tony Dumas).

Valarie King’s new record, Only Time Will Tell is outstanding!  Worth the time?  A resounding yes!
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I’ve had an interesting relationship with the flute over the years. Although not a flautist by any means, it was the first instrument I attempted as a child.  Years later, following the death of a family member, I inherited a flute, which I have retained fondly.  By strange coincidence, the death of another family member (also a flautist) inspired the purchase of a Hubert Laws CD, which through repeated listening, provided the backdrop to a daylong vigil in my uncle’s honor.

Now, fast-forward several years and a flautist once again engages me in repeated listening of an album - “Only Time Will Tell” by Valarie King.  At first glance, I notice the title of the CD and immediately ponder the current state of the music industry - jazz in particular and I realize how long it’s been since I’ve listened to a current jazz album repeatedly.  While I could exhaust this review by offering the many reasons for not doing so, I’d rather express the virtues of the music offered by such a refreshing artist.

Following the strength of her debut release, King has again assembled an organic blend of solid musicianship, compositions and arrangements that exceed the boundaries of most contemporary jazz releases. Adopting (perhaps subliminally) some of the early GRP production values and featuring guest solo performances by Hubert Laws and Patrice Rushen, along with compositions by Natalie Cole and Stevie Wonder, the album delivers brilliantly. What shines most vividly however, is the featured instrument and artist.  Exhibiting an exceptional tone and the perfect balance of classical technique and jazz vocabulary, King has chosen her tool of expression wisely.  She has also managed to create a rarity in today’s contemporary jazz market - an album worth revisiting!
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