Search - Tom Schuman :: Into Your Heart

Schuman jams

jazzwriter23 | Hollandale, MS USA | 03/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a rare day when this writer is first in line for anything.
So when I checked an online bulletin board and saw that I was the first person in the USA to order Tom Schuman's new CD on the Internet, it was a great feeling - especially since it was the man himself who posted the message.
An even greater feeling came when I received "Into Your Heart" (JazzBridge Music) the following day and played it for the first time - and the second, and the fifth, etc.
Tom composed and produced all 12 tracks, with much of the work done at his Bethesda, Md., home. He is joined by some relative unknowns: Dottie Jones, vocals on "Find a Way" and "Past Stories"; David Charles, additional percussion on "Quality Time," "Shinjuku" and "Third Spirit"; and Tom's grandson, Jacob Garcia, baby vocals on "Third Spirit."
Better than half the songs on the CD are motivated by love for people who have inspired the 44-year-old Buffalo, N.Y. native.
"Find a Way," the opening track on "Into Your Heart," is my early favorite. Jones' sultry vocal and Tom's melodic piano/keyboard performance marry the old and the new - contemporary jazz with old-school.
"Portrait of My Father," a slow, quiet piece reminiscent of old-style jazz, is dedicated to Tom's late father, Walter J. Schuman, himself an accomplished jazz bassist. On that track and on "Past Stories," a spin on the name of legendary jazzman Jaco Pastorius, Tom's mastery of modern technology really comes through.
Tom pushes the envelope, mixing rapid-fire keyboard sequences with a driving bass track.
Usually, there's a tell-tale airiness that lets you know certain sounds are done by a synthesizer or computer. Percussion and bass rhythms rare change - taboo in the improvisational world of jazz.
Yet Tom pulls it off. Taking high-tech samples and groundbreaking software, he makes the bass, drums and other instruments sound authentic.
Another three songs that really stand out are "Mysterious Ways," Tom's expression of reverence to God, "Samba for Two" and the Japanese-themed "Shinjuku," named for an area of Tokyo.
Tom has said he jammed with his parents as a child. Count me as onelistener who is very grateful for those jams."

Very Enjoyable And From The Heart

Yve | Alexandria, Virginia United States | 03/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Into Your Heart is one of the best CD's I've heard in some time. There are no bad tracks, which makes this CD highly enjoyable each time you listen to it. Mick Hucknall of Simply Red once penned that he was 'one of those grains of sand that gets blown all around the world'and that sentiment truly describes the life of all musicians. Tom Schuman has brought his memories of special places and people to Into Your Heart. The CD is masterfully crafted and is garnering rave reviews from all who hear it. Check out this CD it will become a soundtrack you can't live without. Tom Schuman is a terrific live musician, so don't miss any opportunity to hear his performances in person..."

Hot!

Yve | 07/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you think the music you've heard from his fingers in the past was good, wait until you hear this. You won't regret this purchase. Absolutely top drawer!"