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Critiques from our Archives |
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Echobrain
Echobrain
Brian Sagrafena
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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Here?s one for all you "serve the song" drummers out there. Depending on your disposition, you?ll either be refreshed or disappointed with the new home of Jason Newsted, former bassist of Metallica. Echobrain hints at grunge and melody-driven bands like Radiohead and Foo Fighters, and BRIAN SAGRAFENA dutifully traverses all the directions this powerful pop trio takes. Without a lot of fills or flash, Brian does his best to get the job done. Most of the "work," though, is handled by Dylan Donkin?s strong vocal phrasings. Still, Jason and Brian lock in hard to make it come together. |
Ed Thigpen
Scantet #1
Ed Thigpen
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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Since moving to Denmark in the early ?70s, jazz drumming great ED THIGPEN has tapped the talents of Scandinavia's brightest rising talents ("Scantet"). As senior mentor to these northern "Jazz Messengers," Thigpen delivers robust, tuneful swing and bop with his classic, bluesy swing feel. His trademark elegant brush work is here, as well as spirited stick magic and irresistible cymbal riding. Thomas Franck (tenor), Jens Winther (trumpet), Jesper Bodilsen (bass), and Kasper Villaume (piano) share their leader?s love of balance and good taste. No flash, just class. (www.sundance.DK) |
Emperor
Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise
Trym (dr)
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 9
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On Prometheus: The Discipline Of Fire & Demise, Emperor goes absolutely bonkers with manic orchestration and, more than ever, prog-metal complexities. On songs like "The Prophet," "The Tongue Of Fire," and the mesmerizing "In The Wordless Chamber," Trym whips up a crazed cauldron of patterns, balances enormous force with delicate flourishes, and complements stunning guitar/keyboard interplay with unforgettable skill. Prometheus is Emperor?s last album, and it?s a grand finale indeed. (Candlelight) |
Equilateral
Also Not Pictured
Jonathan Mele
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Media Type: CD
RATING: 6
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Equilateral, a New York?based jazz trio/quartet speaking in the ?chordless? voices of sax, trumpet, bass, and drums, takes us into the high altitude of the avant-garde. This is original music that steers well clear of worn clich?s and formulae, demanding close attention from players and audience alike. Drummer/percussionist JONATHAN MELE contributes as a full partner here, as comfortable going way outside as he is playing ballads. What we have here is smart, original music played by young pros brave enough to celebrate musical possibilities. That?s exactly the attitude that will keep jazz from becoming predictable. |
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