The death of jazz? I don't think so
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 06/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With bands as melodically approachable and harmonically and rhythmically sophisticated as David Binney's, one scarcely need think about the "death of jazz." Along with people like the Jazz Composers Collective (Ben Allison, Michael Blake, Frank Kimbrough, et. al.), The Claudia Quintet, Mephista, John Wolf Brennan, Brad Mehldau, The Bad Plus, Stefon Harris, and countless others too numerous to name, jazz is in exceedingly good hands.What I think the newer generation of hip, savvy jazz purveyors has done is found a way to map the basic jazz improvisatory aesthetic onto a variety of new and traditional musics--that is, basically do what jazz has always done: incorporate both authentic folk musics as well as progressive influences into its dizzying sphere of improvisational influence. It has stagnated precisely where it has failed in this integrative enterprise. David Binney and his remarkable band are among the best at doing this. Each of these players (Craig Taborn, piano; Chris Potter, tenor sax; Adam Rogers, guitar; Scott Colley, bass; and Brian Blade, drums) is a band leader of significance in his own right. Together with leader Binney, they form a kind of Young Turk super group. Really, this is where some of the most exciting music today is happening. Freed from the empty posturing, faux political agendas, and media pandering that plague various popular and alt music subgenres, first-order improvisational jazz, which is what we have here, enables the widest possible audience embrace.Dig."
Elegance, maybe even too much
Lucharum | Nijmegen, Gelderland Netherlands | 01/01/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The subtle diversity of this record is very much worth listening to: it keeps grabbing your attention, making you come back for more. Unfortunately it seems to be lacking some swing, partly due to the sometimes annoyingly stiff drumming by Brian Blade. Binney himself is a very impressive saxophonist with a great expressive range, while his compositons are very elegant and refined, though this may also be the cause of the rather stiff drumming parts. Potter is at his usual peak, Taborn is great. In all a very fine record, but it could do with some extra fire, bringing it somewhere beyond sheer elegance. The short spell of chaos in 'Ici' is of a rather predictable nature. Also some compositions do rely a little too much on the repetition of themes. So...do I even like this record? Yes, I do, remarkably, but it could be much better still."
Amazing.
footee | Jersey City, NJ USA | 06/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first time I heard SOUTH I could not stop listening to it for 3 months. The same thing has happened since I picked up this "side." I feel that Dave Binney's take on "jazz music" is a strong indication of where it is headed. His conception is inspiring. WELCOME TO LIFE is the next step. Dave has amazing chops, beautiful tone and incredible time. His compositions are singable, yet completely intricate and ingeniously crafted. On "Welcome To Life" he uses the same band that is on SOUTH with the exception of Craig Taiborn sitting in the place of the amazing Uri Caine. Craig fills Uri's shoes and then some. Chris Potter's solo on "Frez" is totally amazing. Adam Roger's slide guitar solo on Lisliel could be my favorite part on the album! Scott Colley is featured on Enchantress. Brian Blade...enough said. A must have for any music lover's collection."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1