Search - Dept of Good & Evil :: Dept of Good & Evil

It looks as if she's found her ideal setting . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 03/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . both to show off her prodigious chops and to interact with her musical peers. The hugely talented Ms. Z seems to have often wound up in settings that failed to manifest her genius--so much so that some of my astute musical friends wrote her off as merely a chops-heavy, bombastic keyboardist. Add to that slinky, seductive cover art and she's positioned more as a cultural icon than a serious artist. Nor does it help that her last recording, Grace, found her venturing into pop-jazz waters with a less-than-mesmerizing vocal outing.



Forget all that.



The classically trained pianist (check out her brilliant reworking of a Delibes piece, "Lakme") that made wonderful piano-trio tribute albums to Wayne Shorter and Joni Mitchell is back with her strongest outing to date. It helps immensely that she's found an absolutely sympathetic band, starting especially with the drum chair, featuring the absolutely amazing Bobbie Rae, a name unknown to me, but boy, can he play! Where has this dude been? He reminds me of another modern drummer, Yoron Israel, who's never gotten his due, especially his concept on snare, with a little Billy Kilson thrown in. Bassist Maeve Royce (also never before heard by me) makes a strong impression as well, with her solid Paul Chamberish concept, somewhat reminiscent of Jon Webber. Several numbers featuring Tony Levin on electric bass and Erik Naslund on trumpet provide extra color, dynamics and drive. This band's ensemble playing shimmers with absolutely gorgeous sympathetic conversation, all executed with seeming ease against a background of subtly shifting rhythmic figures.



The songs, an intriguing mix of jazz standards (Shorter's "ESP" and Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge"), pop classics ("King of Pain," "Aint No Sunshine," and "Love Will Tear Us Apart"), and Z/Rae originals ("Moon and Sun," "Walking on Water," and "Saint of New Orleans"), were shrewdly chosen to showcase the band's versatility and range. That the group moves so supplely through such a varied program, always nailing the heart of each number while subtly decorating it with delicious filigrees, marks them as a world-class outfit.



The only sour note comes with her vocals on "Moon and Sun" and "Walking on Water." It's not that she's a bad singer, although she seems rather too tentative; it's that the vocals break the spell. I'd leave them out in the future.



I almost didn't buy this disc, disappointed as I was with Grace. But as it's one of the great sessions of the new year, I'm very glad I did. Highest recommendation."

Quite a find

Jay R. Lassman | Morganville, NJ United States | 05/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rachel Z. is a very serious jazz musician whose classical music approach to playing piano makes this CD rise above so many others. You become very aware she takes nothing for granted, with each note played with the utmost caring for the music. Can't say the same for her singing. Would prefer either less or a better demonstration that Rache Z's commitment to vocals is on a par with her talent at the keyboard.



I was introduced to Dept of Good and Evil via Jazziz magazine, which does an excellent job of showcasing new talent, while also providing coverage of the current jazz scene. This group deserves to win the Jazziz find of the year award, if there is one.



Sound quality is also excellent and clearly the product of a serious team of recordists."

Really great jazz!

E. A. Getchell | Palma Sola, Florida | 07/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
I was recently listening to a great all-night jazz program on my local FM NPR radio station and heard "Ain't No Sunshine". Even though I am a classical nut and only listen to jazz occasionally, I was so taken by the piece that I went to the station's website to check the playlist so I could find the album for my own somewhat limited jazz collection. Without even hearing the rest of the album, I ordered it from an Amazon seller, a little worried that the rest of the album might be dreadful smooth jazz or pop, music I'm just not interested in. How thrilled I was to discover how brilliant this album really is! I think it was truly a lucky, enlightened find ~ this album for me classifies as really great jazz! I have been enjoying it immensely and I am very impressed with Rachel Z and the other musicians of Dept of Good and Evil. The only weakness (and it is minor) is the vocals on 2 tracks but the music is so good that I don't really mind. Besides the Bill Wither's piece that I previously mentioned, I especially love this group's jazz treatment of classical composer Leo Delibes's "Lakme". Just beautiful! I am very happy to recommend this fine, fine album."