Search - Brad Shepik :: Human Activity Suite

Brad Shepik
Human Activity Suite
Genres: Jazz, Pop

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. Lima (South America)
2. Blindspot (North America)
3. Human Activity
4. Stir (Antarctica)
5. Not So Far (Australia)
6. Current
7. Carbonic
8. Blue Marble (Africa)
9. By a Foot (Europe)
10. Waves (Asia)

CD Details

All Artists: Brad Shepik
Title: Human Activity Suite
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Songlines
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 2/10/2009
Album Type: Hybrid SACD - DSD
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 774355157626

Synopsis

Album Description

Guitarist Brad Shepik's ambitious instrumental suite on the theme of climate change, interpreted by his great NY quintet, brings musical ideas from every continent into a creative jazz context. Audophiles will appreciate the hi-res sound and multi-channel mixing. "You really notice his compositional style and ability to lead [his musicians] so confidently into the uncharted wilds of his compositions ... Their next album can't come out fast enough." -- All Music Guide

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CD Reviews

World Inspired Post Bop

Scott Williams | Oakland, CA United States | 02/28/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Overview:

Humany Activity Suite is Brad Shepik's statement about global warming. While an important topic, I'm not sure making a jazz CD makes any kind of statement about global warming. On this album Shepik teams up with an all star band of rising stars. The band consists of Drew Gress on bass, Gary Versace on organ and accordian, Ralph Alessi on trumpet and Tom Rainey on drums. Shepik composes 7 songs based on the influences from each of the 7 continents, plus two additional songs Carbonic, and Current. The music has a modern post bop jazz sound with world influences. The accordian and organ play of Gary Versace is especially moving at times. Gress and Rainey provide a great rhythm section and Alessi is one of the best modern jazz trumpeters. It all adds up to a great album.

Song Highlights:

Current: The backdrop of the moody accordian playing of Versace and a subtle, subdued guitar line by Shepik really sets a reflective mood on this track. Alessi has a really nice trumpet solo over the top of it all. Texturally this reminds me a bit of Dress Gress's "Like it never was" from his black butterflies Cd. It's very sad.

Stir (Antarctica): This song opens with long organ chords by Versace and a killer bass line/bass solo by Gress. Alessi and Shepik double up on a reflective melody and then fade out to let you hear more of the wonderful duet of Versace and Gress. This is a very reflective piece and seems to be inspired by the solitude of Antartica. It's my favorite track on the CD.

Waves (Asia): This track opens up with a distorted/electronica guitar line by Shepik. The theme for this track is Asia, and it seems to be a cross between middle eastern and east Asian music. It features an out there guitar solo by Shepik. More so than the other tracks this track features the playing and soloing of Shepik.

A great album. Some people might question the theme and some of the world tastes the CD features. Also world music purists might not dig this CD. However, if you like jazz fused with world elements, don't hesitate, get out there and pick this one up.

"