Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Asaf Sirkis Great new players.... Tassos piliotopoulos


I recently got turned on to these fellows....

“Devastatingly creative” (John Fordham, The Guardian on Asaf Sirkis)Following on from Tony Williams’ ‘Lifetime’, the Asaf Sirkis Trio picks up the baton and finds new space for a drummer-led trio in the noughties. ‘The Monk’, the group’s recording debut, will be released mid-September through Sam Productions. Asaf, a self-effacing Israeli ex-pat living in North London cuts a refreshing dash through London’s fertile jazz landscape. He reflects in a characteristically understated way, “For me, music begins where ideas finish”. Whilst an afternoon spent with Asaf will find him flitting between themes of existentialism, fatalism, political propaganda and loss it’s never something he does to be elitist. Maybe it’s the years working with Gilad Atzmon and the politics that swirl around their BBC-award-winning live performances, or the military service in Rehovot or the spates of self-imposed exile due to extreme tendonitis (the latter of which gave him the required writing time for this album) that have made him such an intriguing figure and have left telling traces on his accomplished musicianship. This group, a new electric power trio plays original material by Asaf and ranges from delicate jazzy ballads to hard rock-ish improvisations. The line up features Tassos Spiliotopoulos (guitar), Yaron Stavi (bass) and on occasion Asaf's long time friend, drummer and keyboardist Gary Husband on keys. Although Sirkis has been described as having the ‘drumming muscle for a thunderstorm’, dust off the surface a little and a sensitive writer shines through. Opening track “Stoned Bird” takes in Chick Corea-esque jazz fusion, whilst ‘Without A Story’ has a more post-rock feel. A piano solo on ‘The Bridge’ shows the variety on offer from a composer with a broad tonal palette, and title track ‘The Monk’ shows the contrast of pastoral organ with the rock antics of Tassos’ guitar - swinging it back into Tony Williams territory. The gothic rock descriptions that floated around his past record may again be referenced, but this album has a subtle style of its own. Asaf has previously collaborated with luminaries including Tim Garland and Larry Coryell, he has traveled across the globe playing with some of the best figures in jazz and won vast critical acclaim for Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble. Whilst acknowledging the politics and challenges that have coloured his life, this album stands alone as a beacon of contemporary British jazzfrom a truly international trio.

With the zest and zeal of a thunder and lightning storm, Asaf Sirkis takes his new electric trio into blissful states of improvisational glory... and all amidst a multitude of subtle musical delights that can only be described as "pure joy." THE MONK is simply Asaf's best recording to date and his drumming is just phenomenal... every beat... every phrase... every single second!

For this album, Asaf has assembled a truly outstanding group of talented musicians that features Tassos Spiliotopoulos on guitar and Yaron Stavi on bass with the amazing Gary Husband adding keyboards to several tracks.

As a composer, Asaf has branched way out from his gothic jazz journeys with the "Inner Noise," yet still manages to push the jazz-rock envelope into very fresh territory. As any great monk learns from his Masters, Asaf has fused the multi-directional influences of Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette with the adventurous song writing styles of Allan Holdsworth and avant garde composer, Erik Satie.

The overall mix of tunes on the CD runs the entire spectrum from harmonically gentle to brash creativity. Lightning does indeed strike numerous times throughout the album, but it is never overpowering... there is a calm and confident, almost illuminating attitude that is quite refreshing in comparison to Asaf's previous work.

The guitar work of Tassos Spiliotopoulos is gorgeously sparse and minimalistic on the title track, "The Monk" and "The Journey Home", yet can jump into hard rockin jazz genius at the drop of a hat on tunes like "Without A Story" and the very tasty "Dream". Check out Tassos' site at MySpace.com

On the bass, Yaron Stavi, holds down heavy hanging notes on "End of the Circle" and gets super melodic on "Stoned Bird", "The Monk", and "The Journey Home." Like the patience of a saint, Yaron, delivers a solid foundation for the music to build and grow upon. Check out Yaron's site at MySpace.

Not to be missed is the highly spirited fifth track, "Alone", which features soloing from the entire band, ending with an especially tasty bit of drumming between Asaf and guest percussionist, Adriano Adewale.

All in all, THE MONK delivers beyond expectations. It is an album by an ingenious composer and drummer who carries the listener into new and exciting musical heights! It's definitely not for the meek. This CD has balls, yet it is also very quiet and thought provoking. It's bold music coming from a higher plane and from a drummers perspective, it is a major slice of heaven.

Thanks Asaf, you have learned well from your Masters and are definitely walking the path of an inspired Monk of Rhythm!

Highly recommended with 5 stars.


Asaf Sirkis - Drums/Compositions
Tassos piliotopoulos - Guitar
Yaron Stavi - Electic Bass
Plus special guests:
Gary Husband - Keyboards & Piano
Adriano Adewale - Percussion
SAM Productions 9015 (2008)

1 Stone Bird
2 The Monk
3 The Bridge
4 Without A Story
5 Alone
6 End Of The Circle
7 Dream
8 The Journey Home

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Khabu Doug Youg (a slight return)






Ok ..the thing is ..I can be so effin lame. I guess everybody who really (really) loves music has a bit of madness/ (slash) depression going on.....between bits of creativity and so called normality.

Anyway, I feel like a bit of a shit.

Here's this guy...Khabu, who actually reached back out to me and mailed me a couple CD's MONTHS AGO...(ok, It took him a minute to get it together...but he did a hell of alot better than me.) but, as I said..I been in the grips of the blues.

FOLKS. one of the things I really really like Is when somebody reads my blog a discovers somebody they were absolutely clueless about.

I was clueless about Khabu till a bud told me 'bout him.

This is a killer player, wrapped up in a nice personality (apparently).

AND...to top it off...he's picking up the UKE!!

(I stay in Hawaii, Brah.)

Anyway...here's so updated info...

Nice pic here..and a good place TO BUY MUSIC.
http://downtownmusic.net/khabu-doug-young/ddygg-07-17-2004

these guys write better than me...
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=12817

Why, its the guy!
http://khabu.net/?page_id=2


I git this..if you are feeling adventurous...go for it. If you just want to put your fingers in the waters....check out the reviews below.


Although vocalists ranging from Betty Carter to Ann Dyer to Kitty Brazelton have made exciting contributions to avant-garde jazz, the vast majority of avant-garde jazz recordings have been totally instrumental. So when a vocal-oriented CD that is relevant to avant-garde jazz comes along, one tends to take notice. Avant-garde jazz isn't the only ingredient on OK OK's vocal-oriented Eating Mantis; most of the material combines avant-garde jazz with avant-garde rock, and some fans of art rock and alternative rock are likely to take notice of this experimental recording. But avant-garde jazz is certainly a major part of the equation for OK OK, who have a major asset in lead singer Kyoko Kitamura. Singing primarily in English but occasionally detouring into Japanese, Kitamura is an expressive vocalist who knows how to be quirky and eccentric but is also quite musical. In fact, that is true of everyone in OK OK -- not only Kitamura, but also, clarinetist Michael McGinnis, guitarist Khabu Doug Young and drummer Tony Moreno. For all its eccentricity and oddball experimentation, Eating Mantis is a highly musical album. An inside/outside perspective defines this 2006 session, which chooses melody and harmony over atonal chaos and is a long way from the type of harshness and claustrophobic density that some free jazz is known for. Anyone who expects this 45-minute CD to be a blistering vocal equivalent of Charles Gayle or post-1965 John Coltrane will be disappointed, but those who are looking for something along the lines of Dyer or Brazelton will find a lot to appreciate on Eating Mantis -- which is a promising and engaging effort from this New York City-based foursome.




Here's what the guys up to now............


Using ukuleles, guitars, cavaquinho, harmonica, and voice, Khabu creates music in a spirit of collaboration and interaction, exploring the continuum between improvisation and composition, sculpting sounds into musical journeys of the unknown. Born Doug Young in Lubbock, TX, he grew up in Houston and became known as Khabu while attending the High School For The Performing And Visual Arts (HSPVA). After two semesters at William Paterson College (Wayne, NJ), in hopes of being close to the NYC jazz scene, he found his way instead to Boulder, CO. While there, The Naropa Institute provided fertile ground for integrating his diverse interests in Tai Chi, Buddhist meditation, improvised music, health & healing, and anthropology. He soon became an adjunct faculty member and formed The Russian Dragon Band with Art Lande. Later, he moved to New York City to work with artists from all disciplines: theater, dance, spoken word, film, as well as musicians of many styles (often with unique instrumentation). Khabu has toured the US, Canada, Europe, and India with musicians such as Art Lande and Paul McCandless. Along with his cohorts Bob Bowen, Brian Drye, Mike McGinnis, and Jacob Sacks, he is a founding member of The Creative Music Workshop.


Khabu'Ukulele

This special EP of solo ukulele music is available for free exclusively from Yeah Yeah Records for a limited time only. To download, click "Add to Cart" below. You'll be asked to sign up and checkout as you would with a regular purchase, but at checkout you'll be charged $0.00.





http://yeahyeahrecords.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&products_id=51




Yes...you must do this.



ALSO>>>

I tell ya...Mark Nodwell is murderous.

The book of bhu ...will knock you on your ass.











Khabu Doug Young






Right after xmas 2009 a old friend got a hold of me (merry xmas) and we got talkin music as always, We talked about old favorites like Allan Holdsworth, David torn, Soft Machine and he asked me, what do you think of Doug Young? my answer was...Huh? Never heard of him. Well I checked him out..hell of a pedigree, plays with Art Lande..nice reviews. So I went to All Music Guide to check out what sessions he was on, looking good! then I went Amazon and found a bunch of cd's he plays on. I found some real nice deals and I bought about 4-5 for less than 30 bucks. IT WAS MONEY WELL SPENT!

This is a major new talent people...go to AMAZON...and find the cd's I have noted in this post, they are all five star cd's!


http://khabu.net/ http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=12817
The Book of Bhu

Khabu Doug Young and the Russian Dragon Band (2003)


By Farrell Lowe


Guitarist Khabu Doug Young's first outing as a leader is whimsical, musical, and deceptively deep. It seems he's been saving up his vast musical awareness to simply cut loose with this double album tour-de-force. The music is well-executed, well-conceived, and covers a dizzyingly broad tableau of styles and influences. On the second disc, Young explores guitar sonorities reminiscent of the most subtle of Jimi Hendrix's work on Electric Ladyland, or a delicate Sonny Sharrock approach, along with McLaughlinesque chops. From an overall compositional point of view, fans of Carla Bley, Frank Zappa, or John Zorn could find niches in this silly/serious brew of styles. Young is definitely someone to be aware of in the world of modern music, and if his freshman effort is any indication of what lies ahead for him, we're all in for treats ahead.

Visit Synergy Music on the web at www.synergymusic.com .



Track listing:

1.Brina Chorale;
2.Rhound Things;
3.Ahnimalism;
4.Bhutism;

5.Squishy;
6.Piece in the Middle East;
7.A Perfect Chance;
8.Gas Chamber;

9.NPR;
10.If You Can't Chew It, You Can't Drink It;

11.Old McBhugaloo (had some ducks);
12.Nukeyuler Pop-Tart;

13.Xibalba's Ball Court;
14.Puddin' Time;
15.Bhad,Ahwful Nhoises;

16.Eulogy;
17.Pain Uncramped;
18.Someplace Downunder;
19.Carnivale duh Stupido;

20.Played Some;
21.Ololiuqui;
22.Strange Visit


Personnel:


Art Lande-drums;

Dwight Kilian-acoustic and electric basses, tuba;
Shane Endsley-trumpet, drums;

Mark Miller- tenor, alto,and soprano saxophones, alto flute, flute;
Bruce Williamson-alto and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, clarinet, flute, temper-tampered piano;
Khabu Doug Young-guitar, compositions, and arrangements


The following CD SLOG..is NUTS! man it is sooo freeking good! SLOG was just a real pleasant surprise for me. Its some crazy Garage-jazz stuff. Its gets out at time and others tight in the pocket funkyness. I don't think of myself as a Trombone aficionado, but Brian Dry pulls all kinds of sound out! And of course Khabu Doug Young tears it up.

Just a suggestion...get it. jayD

Slog - Drew Field 45

(NCM East Records 40125)


This concept drawn out by these instruments with this execution is not on the books yet. This said with no mention of the grace and passion that fills Drew Field 45, from compositions of blazing energy to ear-twisting brain prod.

Slog is:

Brian Drye- Trombone
Khabu Doug Young- Guitars, Baritone/alto double neck guitar
Bob Bowen- acoustic and electric Basses
Greg Joseph- drums


Special Guest: Bruse Williamson - Bass Clarinet & Alto Saxophone on Tracks 7 & 9

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=8276

The russian Dragon band...When Kentucky was Indiana is a real solid opening effort from this band, I had heard mention of "The Russian Dragon Band" but somehow, I had mixed them up with the Japanese guitarist Ryo Kawasaki (why does the brain do this...hmmm.)

I mean, check this out:

Russian Dragon Biographies

Art Lande

art

Grammy-nominated Art Lande is considered one of the premiere improvisational jazz pianists today. He began piano at age 4, studied at Williams College & moved to San Francisco in 1969. He has mostly carved out his own singular path throughout his career, taking the innovations of Bill Evans several steps further. In 1973 he recorded with Jan Garbarek and Ted Curson and in the mid-1970's had started his own jazz school. In 1976 he formed the quartet Rubisa Patrol which recorded for ECM and performed until 1983. After teaching for three years in Switzerland, Lande, in 1987 moved to Boulder, Colorado.

Art appears in many of the "Who's Who in Jazz" encyclopedias available today for his role in the development of "Chamber Jazz." He is also a noted teacher having divised innovative courses for improvisation and ear training and has lead improvisation workshops in many parts of the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Khabu Doug Young

khabu

I create music in a wide variety of settings and purposes. The underlying feature to any ‘Khabu’ performance is improvisation, although I have an equal affinity for composition – which I see as opposite ends of the same spectrum.

I use ukuleles and guitars (both acoustic and electric) to create a rich and colorful tapestry of sounds, moods, and atmospheres, in order to tell musical stories of journeys into the unknown. Usually the context is a concert type setting, where the art of the moment can hopefully penetrate the surface layers and offer an engaging adventure or possibly a lucid meditation on the web of existence. At other times, I’m simply plucking along with the family sing-a-long or spontaneously creating the soundtrack along with a gathering.

I’ve worked with artists from all disciplines: theater, dance, poetry (spoken word/storytelling), film, visual forms (painting, etc), as well as musicians of many styles (often with unique instrumentation). My favorite mode of play is collaborative and interactive. Teaching is no different in this regard. I play and create art with my students, regardless of level or style. And my favorite way to teach is team-teaching with my cohorts. Communal work and individual work both are necessary and vital for art to be a transformational process. This is where I find the most love and joy in art.

Dwight Killian

dwight

Dwight grew up in Kansas, the “heartland” of America. He started his musical journey by playing guitar, which led to tuba and finally to electric and acoustic bass. He graduated from Russell High School in 1981and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Wichita State University in 1986. From 1982 to 1988, Dwight was a “Kansas Jazz Artist in Residence” and a member of the “Kansas Touring Arts”. He also taught jazz bass at WSU, Bethel College, and Hutchinson Community College. In 1988 he moved to Denver CO. and free-lanced with local and national artists.

Dwight has performed with many top jazz artists such as Sheila Jordan, Art Lande, Herbie Mann, Teddy Edwards, Mark Murphy, Ernie Watts, Richie Cole, Mose Allison, Myra Melford, Jerry Hahn, Milcho Leviev, Claudio Slon, Paul McCandless, Nick Brignola, Lee Konitz, Ken Peplowski, Bob Florence, Lennie Niehaus, and Marvin Stamm. He has performed at many of the major jazz festivals in the Midwest and also at the Holland Blues Festival.

Dwight relocated to Phoenix Arizona, in November of 1998, as bassist with the Discovery Jazz Trio at The Boulders Resort in Carefree AZ for six years. He currently freelances throughout the valley doing Jazz Concerts with some of the area’s top musicians. Dwight’s festival performances while living in Arizona include: 1999 Wichita Jazz Festival, Carefree Music Festival from 2003 to 2007, and the Prescott Jazz Summit from 2003 to 2006. While in the valley he’s taught Jazz Bass at Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, and Arizona State University from 1999 to 2006. He is currently teaching applied bass lessons and leading Music Serving the Word seminars at Southwestern College. In 2005 Dwight became Executive Director of Music Serving the Word Ministries and the bassist for The Inner Journeys Trio led by pianist Bob Ravenscroft. He also co- leads a concert series in Glendale at New Hope Covenant Church called Jazz For The Soul the 2nd Sunday of each month.

Mark Miller

mark

Mark Milller plays flute, saxophone and shakuhachi, the traditional bamboo flute of Japan. He has toured and recorded with Art Lande, Paul McCandless, Peter Kater, R. Carlos Nakai, David Friesen, Tuck and Patti and Nawang Khechog as well as poets Anne Waldman and Allen Ginsberg. With jazz pianist Art Lande he has recorded three albums of improvised duets, The Story of Ba-Ku, Prayers, Germs and Obsessions and World Without Cars, as well as two award-winning children's albums featuring Meg Ryan and Holly Hunter. With pianist Peter Kater, he has recorded seven albums including Migration, Honorable Sky and Rooftops, as well as sound tracks for television and Off-Broadway.

Mark is a member of the core faculty of Naropa University, a Buddhist inspired liberal arts college in Boulder, Colorado where he pursues an interest in meditation practice and contemplative education.

Bruce Williamson

bruce

Bruce Williamson (sax, woodwinds, piano) has performed with a wide variety of jazz instrumentalists; Art Lande, Fred Hersch, Mark Isham, Gary Peacock, Benny Green, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, Jim Pepper, Paul McCandless, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Jack McDuff. He has also appeared with the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra, the NYC Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Manhattan New Music Project, Partita Chamber Ensemble and Spit Orchestra (Bang On a Can Festival). He has worked with director Julie Taymor and composer Elliot Goldenthal on theater projects “Juan Darien” and “The Green Bird” and the films “Titus”, “Frida” and “Across The Universe”. He was recently a featured soloist (along with clarinetist Richard Stoltzman) with the Slovakian Radio Orchestra.

Bruce has received two NEA grants for Jazz Composition. He can be heard on dozens of recordings, including his debut CD as a leader, “Big City Magic” (featuring Randy Brecker) on Timeless Records. Bruce is also on the Music Faculty at Bennington College, Vermont.

Shane Endsley

shane

A Denver native, Shane is a CU alum (if two years of hanging out at the rec center counts as alum) and graduate of the Eastman School where he studied trumpet, drums/percussion and composition.

He has toured and recorded extensively with Ani DiFranco and Steve Coleman and has been doing work around NY with Josh Roseman, Dave Binney, Ravi Coltrane, Donny McCaslin, John Hollenbeck, Erin McKeown, Anna Egge and others. His most consistently working project is with Kneebody. The NY/LA based electro-acoustic quintet that has been garnering international attention during the last few years.

He is currently playing drums and trumpet in a trio with Ralph Alessi and Tim Berne and leading his own group, "Feature", and doing regular work wih Steve Coleman vocalist, Jen Shyu.

Peter Sommer

peter

Peter Sommer, saxophonist and composer, is in demand as a performer, clinician and recording artist throughout the state of Colorado and across the nation. Since establishing himself among the Denver area’s elite jazz musicians, Peter has contributed his muscular tenor playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to avant garde and beyond. This Spring, Peter is releasing his second album as a leader, Crossroads on Capri Records, which features a two-tenor frontline with New York saxophonist Rich Perry. Peter is also featured on Terra Firma (Synergy Music) by the Ken Walker Sextet, Unfailing Kindness (Capri Records) by Chie Imaizumi, and the debut release from Ninth and Lincoln (Dazzle Records), as well as his first release as a leader, Sioux County (Tapestry Records) which features his duo with jazz piano legend Art Lande.

The Peter Sommer/Art Lande Duo has recently given concerts and clinics at Middle Tennessee State University, Portland State University, Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, Baylor University, the University of Colorado, and at the Jazz School in Berkeley, California. This Spring they will also perform and present clinics at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Peter has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and has appeared at many jazz festivals throughout the state including the Telluride Jazz Celebration, Jazz in the Sangres and the Vail Jazz Festival. Peter was featured as a guest soloist with the University of Wyoming Jazz Ensemble I as part of the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 1 Conference held in Laramie, WY. Peter has also performed at IAJE International Conferences in Anaheim and Toronto, Canada (Jan. 2008), and performed at the World Saxophone Congress in Valencia, Spain. Peter has performed in concert with Greg Gisbert, Ron Miles, Brad Goode, Bobby Shew, John McNeil, Clay Jenkins, Bobby Watson, Dave Pietro, Don Aliquo, Gary Smulyan, Paul McKee, Dale Bruning, Jim McNeely, Joanne Brackeen, Chip Stephens, John Riley, Roseanna Vitro and Ernie Andrews. He has also played for Tony Bennett and John Pizzarelli with the Colorado Symphony.

Peter Sommer is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies and Saxophone at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. At CSU, Mr. Sommer directs Jazz Ensemble I and the CSU Jazz Combo program, in addition to teaching courses in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Pedagogy.



Mark Nodwell:
Nemesis

(Songlines 1539) Art Lande


Mark Nodwell, composer

Ron Miles, trumpet
Khabu Doug Young, guitar
Art Lande, piano
Drew Gress, bass
Tom Rainey, drums


Nemesis
Sortex
Pitfall
Corpse
Fleet
Aura
Flight of the Pterodactyl
Resurrection
Dreamtime (epilogue)



Canadian saxophonist/composer Mark Nodwell surfaces as a formidable modern jazz composer on Nemesis, where he puts down his sax in favor of having others carry out his musical plan. Nodwell handpicked these musicians for this set consisting of nine original compositions. Notables such as Colorado-based trumpeter Ron Miles, pianist Art Lande, and others execute the artist's material in superb fashion. With this production, the listener will embark upon a multifaceted expedition, brimming with subtle intricacies and poignant dreamscapes. Electric guitarist Khabu Doug Young is apt to put matters into overdrive on occasion. Yet Lande, bassist Drew Gress, and drummer Tom Rainey often engage in odd-metered rhythmic exercises amid a few atypically constructed passages, derived from the free jazz scheme of things. In addition, Miles executes some knotty bop lines via linearly devised themes. The thrust of this outing resides within the rather supple flow, dappled with soft melodies and the soloists' often-striking harmonic excursions. Overall, the musicians perform Nodwell's works with a burning desire as programs like this might insinuate a bit of renewed faith for modern jazz aficionados. ~ Glenn Astarita, All Music Guide

RON MILES

Nemesis was perhaps the best surprise of all the CD's I got, Its really a bit of a revelation, combining "free" and straight jazz texture's with electro-acoustic instrumentation. It's really quite good.
Nemesis the albums title, opens the set..you'd think looking at the artist listings that your are about to embark on a difficult,
(hard to listen to) project. However, the sound here is straight ahead modern electric jazz...and to start out..almost mellow. Khabu is just such a superb player. Nodwells decision not to play, but to hire musicians to fufill his compositions is curious, but clearly well thought out. Nodwell has picked well using the duo of Lande and Young along with long time collaberator Ron Miles crating a "rock" to build around has paid good dividends. The end result is an almost astonishing suite of music, that has me reminiscing to the "good old days" when the mix of electronics, jazz and rock was still fresh. The date is solid throughout, there's no dead weight in either band or compositions...but to me there are highlights: On Sortex, we really get an idea of what Khabu Doug Young is capable of. (what can Khabu do for you!) When my friend from Colorado and I were talking music, David torn came up and somehow we worked to Khabu Doug Young. I had never heard of him. He compared Young to Torn's playing. What I here is more of a young John Abercrombies tone and attack. In fact Sortex, to me feels like it could be a part of Enrico Rava's "the plot" date. Youngs playing has that early 70's Abercrombie sound with a distorted yet almost country tone. It has that Manfred Eicher sound and Ron Miles is so strong here. Ron Miles is such a great player, and another familiar with both Lande and Young. Fleet has the band in one of those goofy "downtown" rollicking messes....Young is again given the lead and he trades off finely with Lande. Flight of the Pterodacty is kinda a psychotic tango. the band blasts through vaguely Latin bizarre chord changes and odd meters, bouncing great solos off each other along the way. Nodwell's musician choices really show how well picked and thought out they were here. There is great chemistry here. Resurrection pulls it back in, Drew Gress's subtle underpin's remind me why I think so highly of his work. Ron Miles pulls some lovely laid back trumpet out of his bag, sweet stuff. Art Lande's piano tops it all off Landes in charge. This is a definite 5 star effort, Hats off to all involved.









some vids..................


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=509qQ321xLY



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIeyTfM_hno

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Interview with Richard Hallebeek


I have been having some correspondence with a few of my favorite artist's ...bugging them for brief interviews. Richard was kind enough to send me this via e-mail..

Hi Jay,

Here's some anwers, feel free to change my rusty English here and there if necessary.
If you have additional questions, let me know.
Rich


(NOTE HERE) I am always impressed by Many European artist's and their command, both in speaking and writing the English language. I could find NO editing issues with Richards reply.

Here is what he had to say..my sometimes trite questions are in this color...its been awhile since I have done any interview.


Do you remember the moment you decided to become
a musician full time?

I was 10 when I started playing the guitar and started taking lessons. I have been gigging since age 12 and started teaching when I was 14 years old.
I never thought of doing anything else really, but when I started my study at the conservatory at age 17 I decided I wanted to make a living making music. Never looked back since.


What was the first record that turned your head.

Around different ages, different records turned my head. Around 10 years old it was The Beatles and Frank Zappa, my sister had all their albums. I played them on my pickup for hours after school. When I was around 12 it was Charlie Parker and Pat Metheny and Weather Report. Later on I found out about Holdsworth and Henderson. I cannot really name one record that did it for me, it has to be different records that you discover at different periods in your life that change the way you look at music and hear music. If I have to name some:

John ColtraneMy Shining Hour

Pat Martino – Road Song

Wes MontgomeryD Natural Blues

Pat Metheny – First Circle

Allan Holdsworth – The 4.15 Bradford Executive

Weather Report – A Remark You Made

And the list goes on..


What would you tell a young kid about playing music.

I teach children from 6 years old.. the main focus is on having fun. If I would try to teach them sight reading or other boring stuff, they would be gone after one lesson. I have to make money so it’s also an economic choice to keep them interested so they keep coming back!

I think it works for adults in the same way. Nobody wants to do boring practice sessions alone at home. The key is to challenge yourself and keep being inspired and keep coming up with fresh ideas. Also try not to be stuck with the image and style you think you should have or the person you should be. Try to reinvent yourself all the time. Have fun.

Do you have any musical favorites/heroes?

All the great players of course continue to keep inspiring me; Wes Montgomery, Allan Holdsworth, Van Halen, John Coltrane, Django Reinhardt, Lalle Larsson, Bach, the list goes on…….


What do you listen to.
Right now there is Jacques Loussier who does a fresh take on Bach with a jazz trio. Incredible stuff!


Is there a musician/group you feel like should
receive better recognition.

I don’t really understand people complaining this or that should receive more recognition. For instance Shawn Lane was a very small artist but he was touring the world and doing his own thing 100%. Being a bigger name means lots of times pressure, signing 5 album deals and coming up with what the audience wants and not what you really would want perse. I think being a small artist has a lot of advantages and gives a lot of freedom. I know of a lot of small artists that are financially starving so to speak, but they also have the freedom of doing their own thing, whatever that is. There is something to say for that freedom. I still don’t make much money making music, but at least I always do what I want whenever I want.

Have you been to "the states".

Sure, I studied at GIT in L.A. for a year and stayed there for a while after my graduation. Been back numerous times to L.A. Great city and great vibe. Lots of musicians and lots of small talk too haha…!



If you had a "soapbox" what would you say.

Anybody here plays anything? Wanna jam?? Let me hear what you can do…!



What are some things you'd like to have
happen/accomplish while you are in "this mortal coil".

Learn how to play the guitar! That answer is too easy.. I’m interested in writing songs and playing an instrument and trying to play what I hear in my head. My head is always ahead of my fingers, so I guess there is always something to work on. You never reach that point that you are satisfied.


What art, including books and movies moved, or move you.

Last book I read was ‘Het Diner’ from Dutch writer Herman Koch, a great read.
I try to stay in touch with the latest movies. Avatar 3D was pretty impressive! Also, I watched 'The Machinist' for the 3rd time last week.

Besides that, anybody creating something original and moving that’s made with heart and soul, I’m interested in checking out.


What music are you listening to now, TRUTHFUL! don't try
to impress!

Jacques Loussier and while writing this, my iTunes library switched to Philip Glass, ‘The Witches Of Venice’. Great album. Thruthful answer!

Whats your world view, do you follow politics?

I try to avoid it as much as I can. Too much sneaky stuff going on there. My job is making music and I think music should be an escape from daily life. I do care about the rainforest and the children in Africa, but I don’t want to write songs about it. Music should be an escape.


Name some musicians you like to play with...
different than who you play with now. Musicians
that would challenge and change you.

Pff… Philip Glass would surely challenge my harmonic knowledge.. and I would like to have been the guitar player in the band with Pekka Pohjola, the Finnish composer who sadly died a couple of years ago. I saw him live a couple of times and he was a great bassplayer and composer.

What sessions can we look forward to there release in the next year.

There’s a new Rene Engel album coming up, Weaveworld from Lalle Larsson is just out. I will have to start writing some material for a new album, possibly RHP II in 2010. Keep an eye on www.richardhallebeek.com for details.



Thank you R.H.!




I "borrowed" this....


www.richardhallebeek.com/





Richard Hallebeek has been playing guitar professionally for over 25 years and has recorded with Shawn Lane, Scott Henderson, Brett Garsed, Frank Gambale, Scott Kinsey, Dan Gilbert, Carl Verheyen, to name just a few.

Born august 2, 1969 in Bilthoven, Netherlands, Richard Hallebeek started playing guitar at age ten and took lessons from local teachers. He formed some local bands and started performing in various Jazz and Rock groups. Influences early on were Pat Martino, Allan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson's first album 'Spears', Eddie Van Halen, Pat Metheny, the radio and every album he could get his hands on at the local library. Already at the age of 17 he was submitted to the Hilversum Conservatory, a conservatory best known for it's strong Jazz history drawing musician's from all over Europe. Richard studied with Jazz legend Wim Overgaauw and Maarten van der Grinten, a.o.

In 1989 Rich was the winner of the Dutch 'Yamaha Band Explosion' with his band 'What A Gig'. The Yamaha Band Explosion is a world wide talent search for bands writing their own material. The grand finale was held at the Budokan Hall, Japan, Tokyo for a 17,000 people screaming Japanese audience. In the jury were, a.o. Bon Jovi, Europe singer Joey Tempest and Casiopea guitarist Issei Noro. Hallebeek finished fourth with "Question of Love'.


In 1993 Richard was chosen out of more then 300 contenders to take part in the International Ibanez Guitar Award for 'Best All round Player'.

The finale was happening in Ahoy, Rotterdam and in the jury were a.o. Alex Skolnick (Testament) and Dutch session ace Lex Bolderdijk. Performing the Jazz Standard 'Road Song', the Rock Classic 'After Midnight' in an 'all instrumental' version and playing an unaccompanied solo, Hallebeek became the second price winner.

Around this time, things start to get real busy, besides already playing in different groups, there's also teaching and doing countless sessions and studio hours for radio, movies, commercials, (Dutch PTT Phonecompany, Hooghoudt, Region Police, Fokker, etc.etc.) and TV.

In 1994 he received a scholarship for a foreign study from the Prins Bernhard Fonds. At the end of '94 he leaves to Los Angeles for a one year study at the Musician's Institute to study ear training, composition and improvisation. He studies with Scott Henderson, Dan Gilbert, TJ Helmerich and Brett Garsed, a.o. He graduates with an honors degree.

It's at Orchid Avenue, Hollywood, where Richard meets his 'improvising over strange chord progressions' neighbor, Antti Kotikoski, a young guitar player from Finland. Antti has a big influence on the way Rich looks at music, composing and improvising. Together they team up to do a weekly performance at the Musician's Institute with various musician's at first, but later notably with Jan Fabricky on drums and J.K. on bass. Their goal is to write strong material, while still staying true to their guitar roots and leaving a lot of room for improvisation. Influences in their music can be anything, ranging from Rock, Fusion, Jazz to Pop and Heavy Riffs since they both have such a varied background. They continue to perform all year and record their first album in the M.I. studio, (now known as 'Tommy Tedesco' studios where numerous artists have recorded CD's since the first recordings of Richard and Antti) which was an initiative from engineer and eight finger tapping guitar wonder TJ Helmerich (now with Planet X). Some players who stop by to jam at those recording dates are Scott Henderson, M.I. teacher Dan Gilbert, Carl Verheyen and Frank Gambale.

At the end of '94, Richard gets the call from guitar guru Mark Varney well know for his monthly 'Spotlight Column' in Guitar Player and his Legato Records label who had featured so many great players Richard was heavily into before moving to L.A. Mark had heard some rumors about two hot new players and was interested in hearing some music.

At the beginning of '95 Richard and Antti sign a four album contract with the Legato label and Mark Varney. The first CD 'Generator' was released in November '96. Featured on that album are also Scott Henderson, (Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul) Frank Gambale, Dan Gilbert, Scott Kinsey (Keyboardist from Tribal Tech) and Carl Verheyen (Probably the most recorded guitarist in L.A session history.)

In '98 back in Amsterdam, Holland, 'True Colors', from Richard's rock group Maximum Brain Disfunktion is printed in a small quantity and sold at local gigs around Holland.

The beginning of 2000 brings a welcome distraction from the usual fusion stuff: Rich plays a 6 month tour, playing 6 nights a week, performing Händel’s classical masterpiece ‘The Young Messiah’ throughout the Benelux.

Rich also starts gigging around with drummer René Engel, probably best known for his CD project 'Jazz Sick' with Mike Stern and Danny Gottlieb.
In march '98 'Spheres of Samarkand' is released which features alot of outstanding guitarwork. Featured on that CD are also:Jeroen de Rijk (Mezzoforte), Nippy Noya (percussion legend). In 2003 ‘Nostalgia’ is released which further showcased the style of Rich which is moving more and more in his own original direction.

2003 Rich thinks it’s about time to do it his way, all the way. He initiates the Richard Hallebeek Project and gets help from some of his musical friends: Shawn Lane and Brett Garsed both contribute four solos. The band consists of a few of his musical heroes, young drummer Bas Cornelissen and keyboard virtuoso Lale Larson both contribute songs for the RHP and are heavily involved in the creative process, making it more of a band effort. Within a month after it’s release on the new guitar oriented U.K. Liquid Note Records label, RHP tops guitar9.com being the best selling and most popular fusion album and the album gets rave reviews through out the world.

There have been interviews and reviews with and about Richard in the 'Guitarist' and the Dutch 'Music Maker', American 'Guitar World' and 'Jazz Times' and the Japanese 'Young Guitar' and the Italian 'Axe'.

Richard Hallebeek has an endorsement with Brian Moore Custom Guitars USA (playing a C-90),KOCH guitar amps and speaker cabinets and Diezel amps. He has a habit of using too many pedals.

Where does the journey end? Stay tuned and we will see.


and some vid links....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McvEQhLwU2k




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_E-0S7SteQ



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3M9_8RzZJo




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAMyyGD5Ip4

Friday, February 19, 2010

Killer guitarist richard hallebeek














Richard Hallebeek has become one of my favorites...see the review I did of One Spirits second release.




here's a bio at Richard's site: http://www.richardhallebeek.com/bio/index.php






:: One Spirit - Go For It! (2009)


Richard Hallebeek, Frans Vollink, Sebastiaan Cornelissen - Go For It!
:: Tracks ::
1) Tricky's Tales listen mp3
2) Demo Of Demonstration
3) Purpurama
4) Done listen mp3
5) If So
6) Port listen mp3
7) Go For It MF listen mp3
8) Maybe-Interlude
9) Leo's Dance listen mp3
10) 25-8 listen mp3
11) Sergio's Pants listen mp3
12) TBA listen mp3
13) Paraquats listen mp3
:: Musicians ::
Richard Hallebeek
Guitars
Frans Vollink Bass
Bas Cornelissen Drums
Ada Rovatti Sax
Randy Brecker Trumpet
Steve Hunt , Lalle Larsson Keys
Martin Verdonk Percussion
Rob van Bavel Piano


:: U-Turn (2009)




Title ::
Sebastiaan Cornelissen - U-Turn
:: Tracks ::
1) Can do
2) Fruits & Fibre
3) Uturn
4) Caspar
5) 4 Hands
6) Stello
7) England Green listen mp3
8) All So Familiair
9) Stevenage
10) Up There listen mp3
11) Bread Maker
12) Squash listen mp3
13) Snox!
14) Last One
:: Musicians ::
Sebastiaan Cornelissen
Drums
Jimmy Earl, Tom Kennedy, Frans Vollink, Hadrien Feraud, Johnny Copland, Gary Willis,Ruud Cornelissen Bass
Richard Hallebeek, Alex Machacek, Susan Weinert, Leonardo Amuedo, Mike Outram Guitar
Gary Husband, Steve Hunt, Scott Kinsey Keys
Gerard Presencer Flugel Horn
:: The Alchemists II (2007)
:: One Spirit (2005)
:: Richard Hallebeek Project (2005)

This is Hallebeeks solo release...its great!

Richard Hallebeek Project



guitar 9

http://www.guitar9.com/richardhallebeek.html

"Richard Hallebeek Project"

The Story
The "Richard Hallebeek Project" is the self titled debut CD featuring advanced instrumental jazz/rock fusion by Dutch guitar monster Richard Hallebeek, along with Lale Larson (keys) and Bas Cornelissen (drums), and showcasing Shawn Lane (guitar) and Brett Garsed (guitar) on four tracks. As Hallebeek himself wrote in January of 2004, "After being a sideman for many years, I finally felt the time was right to step out on my own. I've enjoyed playing in different formats in the past, but have always had a very clear picture about how I wanted things to be. Meeting Cornelissen and Larson was a big turning point - we seemed to hit it off right away. They made unique contributions to the songs and to the project as a whole. At the same time, Liquid Note Records gave us the green light to write and play the kind of music we loved, but rarely hear nowadays. Of course, we didn't stop there - the guest performances by Shawn and Brett added to the excitement we felt when we first got to play together with this group." In short, the "Richard Hallebeek Project" provides the listener with terrifyingly good fusion.






Richard Hallebeek Project with Lale Larson and Bas Cornelissen Feat. Shawn Lane & Brett Garsed
:: Tracks ::
1) Prescription Strength listen mp3
2) Good Food listen mp3
3) Enigma listen mp3
4) Lined Out
5) Canoga Park
6) Free listen mp3
7) Axe
8) Imagine
9) Orange Faces
:: Musicians ::
Richard Hallebeek
Guitars
Shawn Lane Guitars
Brett Garsed Guitars
Bas Cornelissen Drums
Lale Larson Keys
Udo Pannekeet Bass

BUY IT!

https://www.paypal.com/nl/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=bgxOEf7sbUFlg3fBi1lViiWIaRZhB_k9CtZJ5S2BD3TJxWJs3BF3qImha48&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b5eb2336391e7cbed125f6c5bdaf8a1cd2bd526d80f731bcf

:: Flowriders - Starcraft (2005)
:: Flowriders - Pheromone (2004)
:: Attitude (2002)
:: The Alchemists (2002)


:: Nostalgia (2002)

René Engel - Nostalgia (All songs by René Engel)
:: Tracks ::
1) Adventures In Afghanistan listen mp3
2) Tour De Force
3) Enschedé, may 13 2000
4) Song For Mandela listen mp3
5) Sikat Sekali Lagi, Nyong! (p3)
6) Nostalgia listen mp3
7) Nels
8) Sikat Sekali Lagi, Nyong! (p4)
9) Ode To Bach
:: Musicians ::
René Engel Drums
Richard Hallebeek Guitar
Maik Schott Keys
David De Marez Oyens Bass
Davy De Wit Bass
Nippy Noya Percussion


BUY IT!

https://www.paypal.com/nl/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=pBuKJw6hwpPTGs1FtP6GtOYLfMb0IXjcRTswnY4CBfpsDT2yE4h1_AuqE5u&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b5eb2336391e7cbed125f6c5bdaf8a1cd2bd526d80f731bcf





:: Perception Of The Beholder (2002)



Isotope - Perception Of The Beholder
:: Tracks ::
1) Compound
2) Bowshock Nubula
3) Soundset
4) Rename Later
5) Perception Of The Beholder
6) 24 Pilot Lights: listen mp3
7) 12 Men Left
8) Dipsy
9) Voodoo Horns
:: Musicians ::
Sebastiaan Cornelissen
Drums
Udo Pannekeet Bass
Rob Van Bavel Rhodes
Tom Beek Sax
Ruud Breuls Trumpet
Ilja Reijngoud Trombone
Jan van Duikeren Trumpet
Wim Both Trumpet


BUY IT!

http://www.aggressiveattack.com/



:: Spheres Of Samarkand (1998)


Rene Engel - Spheres Of Samarkand
(all songs by rene engel)
:: Tracks ::
1) Cullera listen mp3
2) Devils Of The Desert listen mp3
3) Hunting Song
4) So Deep listen mp3
5) Aranjuez listen mp3
6) Curacao On My Mind
7) Spheres Of Samarkand
8) Sikat Sekali Lagi, Nyong! (Part 1)
9) Fears listen mp3
10) Sikat Sekali Lagi, Nyong! (Part 2)
:: Musicians ::
Richard Hallebeek
Guitars
René Engel Drums
David De Marez Oyens Bass
Davy De Wit Bass
Maik Schott Keyboards
Nippy Noya & Jeroen De Rijk Percussion

BUY IT!

https://www.paypal.com/nl/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=u2gKtQnuDSPuqLkcNItM_gdV_GwvpJ2B5xO8VJa5YSQL4rwfFeryaY_HkLK&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b5eb2336391e7cbed125f6c5bdaf8a1cd2bd526d80f731bcf


:: No Respect In '98 (1998)


Richard Hallebeek and Antti Kotikoski - No respect in '98
:: Tracks ::
1) DJ Bunuel Tells It Like It Is
2) Band Aid (Kotikoski)
3) Seasons (Hallebeek) listen mp3
4) Amsterdam (Hallebeek) listen mp3
5) Pain And Relief (Pratskin)
6) New World (Hallebeek)
7) Urban Enigma (Wessman) listen mp3
8) Swang Thang (Hallebeek) listen mp3
:: Musicians ::
Richard Hallebeek
Guitar & Midi
Antti Kotikoski Guitar & Midi
Timo Pratskin Keyboards
Jaan Wessman Bass & C. Stick
Harri Lehtonen Drums


:: Generator (1995)

From Richard's site: (I think its a tad harsh about the composition comment.

:: Gitarist (Holland) ::

Hiding behind the name 'Richie & Antti' are Richard Hallebeek and Antti Kotikoski. They have a four-album deal with the prestigious 'Legato' guitarlabel. On this label, led by Mark Varney, there have been albums released with big names shredding such as Allan Holdsworth, Frank Gambale, Shawn Lane, Brett Garsed and Carl Verheyen. You can take that 'shredding' part seriously, because a lot of the Legato albums use the same receipe: a simple groove, complex harmonies, and incredible powerful guitarchops. It's, in other words, music made by and for guitar players. It's common knowledge that the market for guitar music has been going down in recent years, emphasized by the fact that Relativity (Joe Satriani and Steve Vai's label) will switch to rapmusic in the future! Honour to Mark Varney for not letting this group of guitar players down still striving for technical perfection.

The 'Generator' album from Richie & Antti follows the same receipe as described above: a funky rhythm section with long layers of chords where the soloist can go ahead and go off. In that respect, it's unavoidable to compare this album to for example 'Truth In Shredding' from Frank Gambale and Allan Holdsworth. Richie & Antti are not from the same caliber( which is no disgrace at all!) Yet there is more then enough potential present to be very curious what the future will bring us from these two gentlemen. Besides that, Generator is not a strict duo-CD. From the 9 songs, Richie & Antti only perform three tunes together. They did compose everything together though. At the time of this pressing, Richard is already back in L.A. to record the follow-up to Generator; the new album will feature some more special guests like Allan Holdsworth.

If Richard works a little bit on his composing and gets a little bit away from his Holdsworth/Henderson influences, there will undoubtly be exiting times ahead of him!First impression: Fahrenheit, Persian RugM.R.



:: True Colors (1994)
Maximum Brain Disfunction - True Colors
:: Tracks ::
1) True Colors (MBD)

2) I Gotta Go (MBD)

3) Light Of Day (Hallebeek)

4) Now's The Time (MBD)
5) Guarana (Hallebeek)
6) No One knows (MBD)


:: Musicians ::
Richard Hallebeek
Guitars
Bart Dalenoord Drums
Jaap Bokma Bass
Maarten De Wit Zang




videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_E-0S7SteQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inHJBFJ2RW0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3M9_8RzZJo


http://video.google.com/videosearch?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&q=richard%20hallebeek&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iv#











gigs.......




February 2010

Feb 06 FOREIGN AFFAIR Westbroek, Kerkdijk 36, start 21:00
Feb 18 MASTERCLASS Zwolle Conservatory, Aan De Stadsmuur 88, start 14:00

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Major Talent: Tim Miller



One thing I have noticed about musicians
when I have a chance to talk to them about material.

They are generally a poor judge as to the quality, often
times consigning something I find amazing to the rubbish bin.


So...how did I get to that statement...Hmmm.
we're talking about guitarist Tim Miller, a recent discovery (for me)
and a major talent to be reconded with. (I will show you who's he's hooked up with)


Anyway, I heard a Tim Miller cut at a friends house and I
thought...Cool, Allan's (Holdsworth) playing nylon again!
Ah, but it was not holdsworth, it was Tim Miller.
In fact by the end of the piece I was listening to, it was
pretty clear that this was NOT holds, It was of VERY high
quality but, obviously the player had ideas of his own.

As I turned out, the CD was Miller's "trio 2" release.
and I could'nt tell you the exact cut.
Suffice to say, Miller's got the legato "sheets of sound" (I forget if
this originated from John Coltrane or maybe..John Klemmer!)
He's been listening to Reed players as much as other guitarist's.


So, I've found some reviews and grouped them up, also some links for
you to check Miller out in action.


Here's a quick breakdown:


TimMiller@timmillermusic.com



2008 Live at the 55 Bar - Janek Gwizdala

When I spoke (e-mailed Miller) talking about some of his music,
I asked for recommendations. He left this out. Hmmmm.

well, I think it was just an oversight, Gwizdala is a GREAT bassist!
and Miller burns on this!

2008 Chasing Shadows - Tony Grey
Another bassist here, the session also feature
the FUZE on guitar. But, this did not grab me.



2001 Blown Fuse - Steve Hunt

JUST KILLER..buy it now.I love steve Hunt anyway.
(he was the keyboard player in Allan Holdsworths
band for some of what is my favorite Holdsworth)

Hunt clearly is using Miller as a holdsworth "proxy" here
but the results are amazing.





1998 Corners - Aldo Romano

This is my favorite Non-Miller self release. I mean,Aldo Romano!
The guys a effin genius. Miller is utelized very, very well here.

and he shines!

and these:


Tim Miller Trio 2




Tim Miller
Trio Vol. 2
Avenir Records
2008

Very few guitarists have digested, head-on, the daunting influence of Alan Holdsworth, and then assimilated it into their own playing. Fewer still have combined Holdsworth's no-longer-futuristic linearity with the science of melodic chord permutation, as promulgated by the likes of George Van Eps, Ted Green and Mick Goodrick. Even fewer are in their thirties, like Tim Miller.

These qualities alone would make Miller's current release—the second with his trio including acoustic bassist Dr. Joshua Davis and drummer Take Toriyama—auspicious, but there is much more to consider here. Miller has taken his game up—way up—in terms of the sound he's achieving on record, to the point where his work advancing the breadth of the tone palette alone can now be compared to those at guitardom's highest levels.

Miller's approach is deceptively simple. Driven by his belief that the electric guitar is too midrange-heavy to "work" with acoustic instruments, he chased down the high end by isolating himself in a room with a guitar and a microphone and placing his amplifier in another room. Both acoustic and electric outputs were recorded, and are capable of being blended at will throughout. From a technical recording standpoint, then, the degree of innovation here appears relatively modest.

Aesthetically, though, there is a level of shimmering discernment and detail at play here that pushes the elusive annals of tone. A dazzling bounty of tonal delights—from vintage dreadnought to fat bop, steely Strat to Texas Tele—emerge, played at breakneck speed and sometimes changing from measure to measure. Miller's blistering legato technique is more percussive than Holdsworth's—his chord work even more modern and complex, yet always musical, never guitaristic. Steve Hunt recorded and engineered this outing, making it special by bringing all his previous experience with Holdsworth to bear.

The opening track, "Electric," features an airy acoustic head, pulsed by a chord ostinato and propulsed by a beaten snare that sounds copped from rag-tag street kit by Toriyama. Miller begins his solo with a gorgeously sustained single tone. From there he builds, in seconds, two complex, rhapsodic figures that collapse on themselves, all the while adding echo, subtracting sustain, metering metal and pumping air into the tone. He then combines the discerning changes in tonal detail with improvisational detail, repeating a 32nd note motif that subtly changes from measure to measure, developing into its own intervallic song. Toriyama does not keep pulse, challenging Miller at every turn, the clatter abetting what up to that moment, is Miller's (and band's) finest hour.

That five minutes alone anoints Miller as the jazz world's guitar Superboy. The next 40 minutes only get more momentous, with Miller out-playing and out-tone-meistering himself from one tune to the next. He takes respite only to issue a definitive solo spot that sounds like his personal revel to the "Night Sky." Miller also gives composition a twist by intermingling motifs, statements and devices from each of the tunes, to the degree that the recording becomes one labyrinthine compositional whole. Yet many, like "Trace," can stand on their own, as catchy gems chock full of hummable melodies, with flashes of energetic soloing.

Joshua Davis' sense of time is solid—at times locking with the bass portions of Miller's chord voicings—and (thanks to some crafty recording) sounds electrifying yet woody, as on "Trace." Toriyama logs one of his greatest recorded performances ever, benefited by the best recording of it, as evidenced in the turn-on-a dime ride swing melded to crushing jazz-rock stylings slammed against each other in "Thread." Miller dedicated the recording to Toriyama but it's the drummer himself who provides the only tribute needed. Whoever hears this recording will know that during his all-too-short stint here, Toriyama thoroughly mastered the drum kit, fearlessly incorporating some sounds that, previous to his work, seemed not to belong. And whoever hears some of his other work will know he did the same over the complete range of musical idioms.

Miller believes that this is his most personal recording to date, on which the sound he has imagined for so long has finally made it onto record. That's just one reason why Mr. Miller was recently cited by no less than Alan Holdsworth, in the most recent issue of Guitar Player Magazine, as one of two current guitar players to watch.


Tracks: Electric; By The Sea; Elements; Flying; Night Sky; Arc; Thread; Grey To Blue; Trace; Drop of Ink; Recall; Open.

Personnel: Tim Miller: guitar; Joshua Davis: bass; Take Toriyama: drums.



Tim Miller Trio

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18917



Tim Miller's third indie effort stands out by manifesting his influences as an aural whole. Compositionally, the freedom and openness in the music reflects the deep influence of Keith Jarrett, while sonically, the air-infused yet electric guitar sound dances with bass and drums mixed in a pastoral acoustic style. Even with headphones, the listener hears the trio of instruments entwined in the air, coupled by intense playing and musicianship.

From the perspective of guitar-related influences we hear the chordal inspiration of a fellow Bostonian, voicing-god Mick Goodrick. Linearity is Miller's calling card, seamlessly melding Allan Holdsworth's 21st Century legato technique with a non-guitar-centric, truly jazz vocabulary and phraseology, with notes percussing from the fretboard in pianistic fashion.

Another facet that takes Trio up a notch is the particular attention paid to tone and articulation on the high end. Miller devoted requisite consideration and time to sonics, and the dividends are sumptuous. An advocate of the ergonomically correct Klein axes, Miller's performance on "Untied sounds as if he's playing two of them at once, electric for the atmospheric chords of the intro and acoustic for the quick sixteenth-note turn-backs found on high, doubled by the drums. Take Toriyama's tone is apart from the more athletic norms of the "fusion realm, with more of the room than the kit in the mix. His use of slackened snare, coupled with bassist Josh Davis' booming upright sound, is especially effective on this track.

Miller employs a super-thick tone for his solo, alternating bop-legato mastery with sax-like repeated figures that belie the layout of the fretboard. Miller can lay into a rock'n'roll repeating hyperspeed four-note figure akin to traditional Hendrix or Page twelfth-fret pentatonics, but in the middle of the neck, using four notes at spread intervals of the harmony-of-the moment, something more out of Mike Brecker's vocabulary.

While the recording weighs in at the forty-minute mark, there's much to be said for concentration and self-editing. "Sparkle is ninety seconds of inspired melodic riffing against Toriyama's percussion arsenal and will alone reward consecutive listening surpassing the total of the disc's real time. It would be an interesting musical exercise to map out here where each of Miller's melodic phrases begins or ends, or to pick the midpoint of each. I am sure each roadmap would in turn comprise alternate songs. Similarly, the three minutes of "MG, dedicated to mentor and Berklee fellowman Goodrick, forge a successful marriage of modern rock balladry with jazz.

"Straight Lines is the composition of the set, a mid-tempo cut smoldering with the passion and memorable melody usually reserved for ballads, especially in Miller's opening solo salvo. The two "Density compositions, using minimal themes fashioned from rhythmic chordal materials growing out of and into weaving strands of single-note improvisation, reveal substantial rewards unearthed by exploring repetition as a means of mining new melodic and improvisational territory.

Nothing should stand between this one getting heard and Miller's justifiably meteoric ascension on the worldwide guitar-watchers org-chart.



Track listing: Intro; Untied; Shift; Paris; Sparkle; Straight Lines; The Trees the Sun; Density One; TR; Two View; Density Two; MG.

Personnel: Tim Miller: guitar; Joshua Davis: bass; Take Toriyama: drums.



Tim Miller Trio Sides This apparently is the CD that Mr. Miller considers his "debut".
Its a bit "fuller" than the next two, with the addition of a reed player. I know Mr.
Miller will likely cringe at the Holdsworth compairisons...(I'm sorry,
its apt). But..I always enjoyied Allans work with Gordon Beck (jazz) and Pat Smyth.
He can be a hell of a jazz player.
Here, I get a simelar "legato" playing jazz.



But, I can't find this:


1997 With The Distance




some vids......



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ow7HgUbA0





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0b0YQAD_zU





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcb5ptVgXYk