Post-bop classic
Swing King | Cincinnati, OH USA | 02/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Canadian born tenor saxophonist Pete Mills leads an energetic quintet here on this second outing of his as a leader, "Art and Architecture". Recorded on June 3 & 4 in 2003 in Brooklyn, New York, Mills is accompanied on this cool set by the following sidemen: Pete McCann (electric & acoustic guitar), Bobby Floyd (piano), Dennis Irwin (bass), and Matt Wilson (drums).
You'll find a few nice Billy Strayhorn covers on here, such as "Chelsea Bridge" and "Isfahan". Track 3, "In Walked Bud", an old tune by Thelonious Monk, features Mills will only bass and drums backing him. The rest of the tracks here are originals by Mills, who proves to all that he is an inventive composer.
This is a very tight recording done on the Summit Records label, a distributor of other fine jazz artists. Each participant on this session is allowed time to shine properly with generous solos propelled by near genius composition. "Art and Architecture" by this Pete Mills quintet demonstrates all that is well and alive in the world of jazz music in the modern era. A must have for any jazz lover's inevitably vast collection!
"
Excellent
mrhoffman | Ohio | 08/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Art & Architecture" is an incredible showcase for Mills' exceptional compositional talent and innovative improvisation. Backed up by a tight and talented rhythm, Mills displays his ability to play such standards as Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge" and Monk's "In Walked Bud" in a unique and personal way. The grooves on his originals such as Clubfoot and Dot Com create a solid foundation for his soulful and spontaneous lines. The beautiful standards included on this album show Pete's understanding of the importance in recognizing the history of the music while taking it to new levels through his original compositions and improv. I definitely recommend this album for any jazz listener."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1