Sunday, March 16, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 3/13/08 - 3/16/08



OK, here's another review of an item that I was "commissioned" to write for one of the many websites to which I occasionally contribute.

Since this item was already included in a list I previously published, it will not change any of the running totals for the year that I post at the bottom of each entry.


Adds -

BROWN, ROB (ENSEMBLE): Crown Trunk Root Funk CD (AUM Fidelity) - Despite being a respected presence in the contemporary jazz scene for many years now, alto saxophonist, Rob Brown, remains somewhat overlooked and under appreciated, in my humble opinion. During his 20+ year career, he has produced very few recordings as a leader, a fact which I find unfortunate, as I’ve always enjoyed his unique tone and distinctive style. His 1989 release on Silkheart, “Breath Rhyme” is still a personal favorite. Brown originally formed this current quartet (which includes the legendary, William Parker, on bass, Gerald Clever, on drums, and the well-known, but often lightweight, Craig Taborn, on piano and electronics) for a performance at the 2006 edition of NYC’s great Vision Festival.

Supported by this ensemble, Brown explores new sonic territory on “Crown Trunk Root Funk”, incorporating elements of funk and experimental electronics into his music. Brown slowly immerses listeners into his expanded vocabulary, opening the disc with the solid “Rocking Horse”, a funky, slightly fusion-inflected free bopper that doesn’t stray too far from his earlier work. By the set’s third track, however, Brown is deep into uncharted waters. In “Sonic Ecosystem” Taborn and Cleaver lay down a minimal (but slowly building) foundation of experimental electronics and sporadic percussive accents over which, eventually, Brown, with an almost mournful alto, and Parker, with bowed bass, play a plaintive theme in unison. In sharp contrast, the next track “Ghost Dog” is the album’s most accessible piece, a slick, nearly regrettable, pop-leaning, funky strutter. The group returns to familiar ground with “Exuberance”, an excellent blast of classic Brown free bop stylings. The CD closes with the beautiful “World's Spinning”, in which Cleaver, Parker and Taborn create a dark, impressionistic backdrop for Brown’s soulful, lyrical lines. While his experiments on “Crown Trunk Root Funk” are not uniformly successful, it still contains plenty of great contemporary jazz and Brown is to be commended for attempting to explore new sonic horizons.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 15/94%

Did Not Add 1/6%

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 3/10/08 - 3/12/08



OK, I'm back in the game, after being asked by one of the many websites to which I occasionally contribute, to provide a review for this release .

This will not change any of the running totals for the year that I post at the bottom of each entry, as this release was already included in a list I previously published.


Adds -

VANDERMARK 5: Beat Reader CD (Atavistic) - “Beat Reader” is the tenth studio recording from esteemed performer/composer/leader Ken Vandermark’s flagship ensemble, the Vandermark 5. As always, Vandermark and crew deliver a diverse set of contemporary jazz over the eight tracks of this set, with material that strikes an almost perfect balance between composition and improvisation and which integrates a wide range of sonic elements from hard bop and blistering free jazz to slamming funk and searing out-rock. The ongoing evolution of the group is clearly displayed on “Beat Reader”, with the quintet’s newest member, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm (pictured above), being featured more prominently than any other performer, except Vandermark. From the beginning of the excellent opening piece “Friction” to the conclusion of the scorching final track “Desireless”, Lonberg-Holm makes his mark, with contributions ranging from subtle, chamber music stylings to driving, angular riffing and raucous, electrified skronk, the latter of which providing the group with its most acidic, rock-tinged edge since former trombonist/guitarist Jeb Bishop retired his electric guitar after 2000’s “Burn The Incline”. Personal favorites included “Further From The Truth”, a subduded, yet tasty, little piece that almost sounds as if it could have been taken from Zorn’s Masada songbook, the funky free bop of “Speedplay”, and the aforementioned “Desireless”. Although they are now in their second decade, as “Beat Reader” clearly demonstrates, the Vandermark 5 are not resting on their laurels, rather, they continue to evolve and create compelling contemporary jazz with an almost unparalleled passion and artistry.


Did Not Add -

None


Running Count For The Year

Adds 15/94%

Did Not Add 1/6%


And remember...


Damn Straight!

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Music I Liked And Didn't - 1/6/08 - 3/9/08





Yeah, I'm still alive, but, barely. It's been a hectic and bad few weeks. Maybe I'll feel like writing about cool music again sometime, but not yet. Sorry.

Anyway, as badly as life has turned on me, I am still (trying) to enjoy and keep up on new releases and here's what I've liked and not liked, since my last post...

Adds - 14

BERNSTEIN, STEVEN: Diaspora Suite CD (Tzadik)

BROWN, ROB (ENSEMBLE): Crown Trunk Root Funk CD (AUM Fidelity)

DEAD MEADOW: Old Growth DLP (Matador)

EX REVERIE: The Door Into Summer CD (Language Of Stone)

LUMERIANS: S/T 12” EP (Subterranean Elephants Recording Company)

RUDOLPH, ADAM (MOVING PICTURES): Dream Garden CD (Justin Time)

RUSALNAIA: S/T CD (Camera Obscura)

SHALABI, SAM: Eid CD (Alien8 Recordings)

SPEER, D. CHARLES (& THE HELIX): After Hours LP (Sound@One)

ULAAN KHOL: I CD (Soft Abuse)

VANDERMARK 5: Beat Reader DCD (Atavistic)

ZORN, JOHN: Filmworks XIX: The Rain Horse CD (Tzadik)

V/A: Asian Flashback: Underground Music From Asia CD (PSF)

V/A: Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife,Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6 2CD (Soundway)


Did Not Add - 1

SUISHOU NO FUNE - Prayer for Chibi DCD (Holy Mountain)


Running Count For The Year

Adds 15/94%

Did Not Add 1/6%