Another contribution from Tom Harrell
andre salz | Quakertown, Pennsylvania USA | 02/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A few years ago I was fortunate enough to see Tom Harrell's previous band perform not far from my home. Though this is a new outfit( outside of it's fine bassist) a few things became clear. Mr. Harrell is a real improvisor and has lead his various groups to follow his lead. In a time when Jazz is taught in music schools and analysed constantly very few are real improvisors. The format of this new recording is a challenge to the listener and the musicians who are performing. Sometimes the tunes seem made of few notes but that's when the improvising and knowledge of harmonic choices come shining through. Do yourselves a favor and listen to this music. It will stay with you and join a Jazz library that will be dipped into in the future."
Harrell's triumph
Richard Ferrie | San Jose, CA | 05/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tom Harrell continues a string of amazing exploratory albums with this release. At first or second listen, the territory may sound familiar, perhaps overly, almost annoyngly so. But it's Harrell's genius to revisit relatively common settings and open them up to a wealth of wonderful new possibilities. This is classic jazz in the best sense. Keep listening until your ears open up and your toes tap and your soul soars with the extraordinary Mr. Harrell and this superb band."