Search - Marty Ehrlich, Dark Woods Ensemble :: Just Before the Dawn

A Living Music

D. Peterson | Orem, Utah United States | 10/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If all musicians had the integrity of Marty Ehrlich, we wouldn't be stuck listening to diluted rehashes of hard bop. With his Dark Woods Ensemble, Ehrlich breathes new life into improvised music. The album has a folksy, bluesy element heard best in the lowdown swing of "Dance No. 1" and beautiful flute/cello/percussion trio of "The Folksinger." Yet there is more advanced material as well in the chamber music of "Thickets" or the very abstract "Flight." The album opens with "Spirit of JAH," dedicated to Ehrlich's late employer Julius Hemphill. It's an ecstatic duet between Ehrlich's wood flute and Don Alias' percussion. A highlight for me is the wistful, purely American "Mudpie Anthem," one of the only numbers to feature Ehrlich's trademark alto sax (he mostly sticks to clarinet and bass clarinet). His opening bass clarinet solo on the complex "Eliahu" is probably one of the best things done on the challenging instrument. The combination of cellist Erik Friedlander and bassist Mark Helias is simply inspired, while Don Alias shows he can do much more than back Herbie Hancock on congas. This is a must-have."

Lovely, lovely MUSIC

Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 04/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How many albums do have you have dear music lover that you have played but once? How much did that collection of once played albums cost you? I am not immune. I too have many played but once. This is not one of them, In Mr Ehrlich's 50th year it must be acknowledged he has left us a body of quite beautiful work. This album is one such. Sample his flute work on the track THE FOLKSINGER and give way to the spell of his manifest musicianship and talent in the company of some the music's best. One of New York's finest artists. An album worth at least $350 and you can get it for less than 18 bucks. Grab it while you can."