Search - Jane Getter :: See Jane Run

"Hear Jane Play!!"

Marc Leon | Vic., Australia | 03/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I came across this gem by 'accident', while checking out some new players - suddenly Jane Getter 'pops' up! Being the curious type, I gave the samples a spin and thought,'Hmm, this is nice', so I took a punt and ordered the CD - and I'm so glad I did!! Honestly, I have not stopped playing this disc since it arrived in the mail yesterday and it just sounds better each time I hear it!



There's a lot to like about this disc. Apart from the playing, which is superb throughout by all the participating musicians, the compositions are strong, 'groove' focused and well arranged, with plenty of room to highlight each player's skills. The production is also excellent. Nothing cluttered or buried in the mix, each instrument can be heard clearly while at all times retaining an incredibly strong drive. Add to this a sensuous female vocalist and loads of variety in musical textures and you end up with a winner that will appeal to a huge audience of listeners. This is Jazz with a distinct Rock/R&B groove. It's a true fusion of various musical styles that really works!



From the first note, Jane and her fantastic band get right down to business with a 6/8 feel tune called, 'The Loop'. Opening with an infectuous (Hendrixy?) riff, followed by a melodic lead, which Jane doubles with a harmony line the second time around and then she's off - a fiery, but well paced solo that builds in intensity as she soars above the driving rhythm section, returning to the head and letting the listener down easy towards the end.



Next, Jane brings in 'Something Better' with some clean-sounding chords, before the band respond with a funky R&B groove, setting the mood for Thulani, the coolest singer you'll hear for some time. Jane adds some extra spice in an eight bar solo during the song. This reminds me of a modern 'Rufus'.



'Leap Year' is a driving instrumental in 5/4 time, with some great solos by Jane and keyboardist Adam Holzman (Jane's husband and one-time member of the Miles Davis band).



The band slow things down a tad with 'Did I Ever Tell You', again featuring Thulani's fabulous voice and some lovely vocal harmonies. The song starts gently, Jane playing acoustic guitar, though it gradually builds in intensity, climaxing with a powerful, melodic guitar solo.



After the instrumentals 'Lost And Found' and 'Nebula', Jane gets real nasty with 'Know You', built around a 'Zeppelin' sounding riff. Even Thulani's voice takes on a darker tone and there's some awesome soloing with Jane and Adam trading lines.



Things mellow down slightly with 'Red Earth', a beautiful, haunting tune. Jane picks up the acoustic again for the first half, then the song subtly builds as Jane switches back to the strat. Some nice interplay between guitar and keys, then the tune goes into a riffy mode, while Jane wails with amazing lead passages through to the finish.



'Coda' is a bit of a surprise. The riff reminds me a bit of 'Black Night' (Deep Purple), the band pumps and drives - and just as Jane launches into a solo, the track fades out - barely a minute long. Is this is a sign of things to come(?)



The CD ends with a longer version of 'The Loop', giving Adam a chance to stretch out on synth.



Jane is indeed a 'One Of A Kind' musician, there isn't another female guitar player on the planet right now that can fire up with that degree power, emotion and finesse as she does. Jane has demonstrated that 'gender' is irrelevant when it comes to being a great musician and composer. She can hold her own in a musical niche which is still predominantely male, but she does it with a lot more class and taste than most of her male counterparts. But don't just take my word for it. Check out what a few of the world's best players say about Jane:



"A strong, fresh voice ...." - Michael Brecker



"Jane is a great new talent .... a new guitar voice rich in traditional roots ...." - Lenny White



That should be enough inspiration for any young lady out there to realise that not all women have to be 'BLONDE' clones to make an impression on the world-stage!

"