"Again, Never" is a tender ballad from the 1990 soundtrack album Music from Mo' Better Blues, composed by Bill Lee III for Spike Lee's jazz film. Performed in a 24-bar form in B-flat at a slow 54 bpm, the track features pianist Kenny Kirkland in a brief but exquisite solo spanning roughly one-third of a chorus. Kirkland, one of the most brilliant pianists of his generation, brings a crystalline touch and harmonic sophistication to his improvisation, each chord voicing revealing new dimensions of Bill Lee's composition. The ballad serves an important dramatic function within the film's soundtrack, providing a moment of emotional vulnerability amid the more extroverted performances. Kirkland's truncated solo demonstrates the art of saying something profound in a limited space, his harmonic choices reflecting the deep musical intelligence that made him an indispensable member of Branford Marsalis's groups. The spare, intimate setting allows every nuance of Kirkland's playing to register, from his delicate touch to his subtle use of sustain pedal. Tragically, Kirkland passed away in 1998 at age 37, making performances like this one all the more precious as documentation of his extraordinary talent.
