When 24-year-old Joshua Redman won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 1991, the jazz world took notice. By 1993, with two albums already under his belt, Redman entered the studio to record Wish — a record that would become a landmark of 1990s acoustic jazz and a defining moment of his early career.

Written for Metheny, this is the album’s joyous romp. It features the guitarist switching to an acoustic sitar-guitar, creating a hollow, buzzing texture. Higgins’ brushed snare work, when rendered in FLAC, reveals the brush-tip swirl with startling realism.

Wish was a commercial and critical smash:

More importantly, Wish became the blueprint for 1990s acoustic jazz. It proved that a young Black musician could honor Charlie Parker and John Coltrane while engaging with the textures of Pat Metheny’s ECM-style production. Today, Redman is the artistic director of SFJAZZ, and this album remains his most requested work.

A haunting, waltzing melody. This track is recorded with a massive soundstage. In lossless, you hear the room ambience of Power Station—the wooden floor, the slight slap-back echo off the glass partition. It feels alive.

Joshua Redman’s 1993 album Wish captures a young tenor saxophonist at the peak of his early promise, balancing modern jazz sensibilities with strong nods to tradition. Recorded with a stellar band (including Brad Mehldau on piano, Christian McBride on bass, and Brian Blade on drums), the record is a showcase of lyrical invention, rhythmic sophistication, and ensemble empathy — qualities that helped establish Redman as a major voice of his generation.

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Who this album is for

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The Definitive Guide to Joshua Redman’s Wish (1993): A Jazz Masterpiece in Lossless FLAC

Released on September 21, 1993, Wish is the sophomore album from saxophonist Joshua Redman, a project that solidified his standing as a leading voice in the "Young Lions" movement of the 1990s. Coming just months after his self-titled debut, Wish showcased a bolder, more exploratory side of Redman’s artistry, backed by an elite "all-star" quartet.

For audiophiles, experiencing this album in Lossless FLAC is essential. The format preserves the intricate textures of Redman's tenor sax and the legendary interplay between his powerhouse rhythm section, delivering the full dynamic range of a session that remains a high-water mark for contemporary jazz. The All-Star Lineup

Redman famously described this recording as a "wish fulfilled," having the opportunity to lead three of his greatest musical idols:

Pat Metheny (Guitars): Provides a lyrical yet adventurous harmonic foundation, rarely heard in such a pure acoustic jazz setting during this era.

Charlie Haden (Bass): A master of deep, melodic pulse and a frequent collaborator of Ornette Coleman.

Billy Higgins (Drums): Known for his legendary "smiling" swing and precision, Higgins brings an organic unity to the group. Tracklist & Musical Highlights

Wish is a 61-minute journey through post-bop originals, reimagined pop hits, and live recordings from the Village Vanguard. Key Highlight Turnaround Ornette Coleman A brisk opener that sets a high-energy post-bop tone. Soul Dance Joshua Redman

A gently swinging waltz that became a staple of his live sets. Make Sure You're Sure Stevie Wonder Transformed into a "jazz-noir" statement. We Had A Sister Pat Metheny

A reflective, introspective piece showing the group's sensitivity. Tears in Heaven Eric Clapton

A moving pop-jazz interpretation often praised by critics for its substance. Wish (Live) Joshua Redman

Recorded at the Village Vanguard, showcasing the group's live chemistry. Blues for Pat (Live) Charlie Haden

An extended live workout featuring a deep dialogue between Haden and Redman. Why "Lossless FLAC" Matters for This Album

Wish is not just about technical proficiency; it is about texture and space. Wish - Joshua Redman

Joshua Redman ’s 1993 album Wish is a landmark in modern jazz, capturing the young saxophonist at a pivotal moment of artistic expansion alongside three established masters. Released just months after his self-titled debut, Wish moved Redman away from a purely melodic focus toward a more adventurous, "Ornette-thology" inspired sound. Album Overview & Personnel

The album features a piano-less quartet of world-class collaborators: Joshua Redman: Tenor saxophone Pat Metheny: Guitar Charlie Haden: Bass Billy Higgins: Drums

Metheny, Haden, and Higgins had previously recorded as a trio (Rejoicing, 1983), and Haden and Higgins were both key members of Ornette Coleman's legendary quartet. Redman’s ability to lead this seasoned group was seen as a testament to his rapid musical maturity. Key Tracks & Musical Style

"Turnaround": The album opens with this Ornette Coleman composition, immediately establishing a bold, "inside-outside" post-bop tone.

Genre-Bending Covers: Redman is noted for his jazz interpretations of rock and R&B, such as Stevie Wonder's "Make Sure You're Sure" and Eric Clapton’s "Tears in Heaven". Critics describe his take on "Tears in Heaven" as "smooth jazz with substance".

Live Recordings: The final two tracks, "Wish" and "Blues for Pat," were recorded live at the Village Vanguard in NYC, showcasing the group's "sensational live chemistry". Critical Perspective

Reviewers from Something Else Reviews highlight how the backing group "roughed up" Redman’s initial melodicism, pushing him to new plateaus. While AllMusic notes it isn't revolutionary, they praise it as an "appealing" work from an improviser willing to explore diverse musical situations. Buying & Listening Options

For collectors seeking physical copies, you can find the original 1993 CD at retailers like Target or through specialized music sellers on eBay. The album is also available for high-quality streaming on platforms like Apple Music.

Released in 1993, Wish is widely considered the album that solidified Joshua Redman’s position as a heavyweight in modern jazz. While many "young lion" debut albums of that era leaned heavily on tradition, Wish took a bold, eclectic direction by pairing the 24-year-old saxophonist with a "dream team" of veterans. The "Wish" Lineup

Redman’s sophomore effort featured a piano-less quartet composed of three of his personal musical idols: Pat Metheny

(Guitar): Brought a lyrical, atmospheric texture that defined the album's sound. Charlie Haden (Double Bass): Provided a deep, grounded foundation. Billy Higgins (Drums): Added his signature "dancing" rhythmic energy.

Notably, Haden and Higgins were both alumni of Ornette Coleman’s legendary quartet, which gave the album a subtle "Ornette-ish" exploratory edge, despite remaining mostly accessible post-bop. Interesting Album Facts

Pop-to-Jazz Transformations: The album is famous for Redman’s ability to take non-jazz songs and turn them into "moving pop-jazz". This includes haunting versions of Eric Clapton’s "Tears in Heaven" and Stevie Wonder’s "Make Sure You’re Sure". A "Family" Connection: Pat Metheny

had previously recorded with Joshua’s father, Dewey Redman, on the 1980 album 80/81. Wish essentially saw Metheny moving from the father’s generation to the son’s.

The Title Track: The song "Wish" was originally recorded for Redman's self-titled debut earlier that same year. The version on this album is a live performance captured at the Village Vanguard.

Commercial Success: Wish reached #1 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and, combined with his debut, sold over 250,000 copies—a massive feat for a jazz instrumentalist in the early '90s. Wish - Album by Joshua Redman - Apple Music

I’m unable to provide a full article promoting or linking to a specific lossless FLAC download for Wish by Joshua Redman, as that would likely involve directing you to unauthorized copies of copyrighted material. However, I can offer you a detailed, original article about the album itself — its background, significance, and musical highlights — which you can use for informational or review purposes.