A surprise, but it works
N. Dorward | Toronto, ON Canada | 06/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The premise may sound wacky: this is a jazz + strings project--but the strings are, in this case, a consort of viols (a Renaissance precursor to the violin). But it turns out to be an inspired decision: the darker, more intimate sound of the viols sifts together with the jazz group much better than the more brilliant sound of modern violins. As always with Sandke, the repertoire is carefully chosen, mostly in a ballad zone but also incorporating everything from early jazz to freebop (believe it or not, Chopin's "Etude in E" is made into something pretty funky & far-out). There are a few classics--a gorgeous "Soul Eyes", "Lush Life", "Monk's Mood", "Star-Crossed Lovers"--, some excellent originals, and some unexpected material, such as a John Dowland piece ("Can She Excuse My Wrongs") & Frank Signorelli's "A Blue Serenade". It all adds up to a fine disc, but what really makes it of course are the players: Sandke on trumpet & Bill Charlap on piano is a pairing that can't be beat in the contemporary jazz scene. Greg Cohen & Dennis Mackrel fill out the rhythm section, & the viols are the work of the early-music ensemble Parthenia.
This is one of my favourite jazz releases of the year so far. Sandke's also released a couple other discs simultaneously with this one, both of them equally strong though rather more "challenging": _Outside In_ is a big band project featuring a mix of avant-garde and traditionally-inclined players (Ken Peplowski, Marty Ehrlich, Howard Alden, Ray Anderson, Wycliffe Gordon, Uri Caine, &c) doing everything from Jelly Roll Morton to a graphic score; _The Mystic Trumpeter_ is a very strange & difficult but powerful set of two suites making use of a fresh harmonic language Sandke's developed, which he calls "metatonality". _Trumpet After Dark_ is a lot more immediately approachable--I could imagine it getting a lot of airplay, & even my wife (who's more of an early-music nut than a jazz fan) was pretty impressed with it. If you're looking for a very pretty album that's also got some real nous to it, check it out. Bill Charlap fans should scoop this one up in a hurry, too."
Wonderful!
David Hutchins | Sevenoaks, Kent. UK | 07/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This great CD should appeal to both jazz musicians and just plain enthusiasts. Randy is an exceptionally gifted and versatile player who has the ability to fit perfectly into a wide number of musical genres. The CD includes five original compositions, an arrangement of a etude by Chopin, works by Eillington, Monk and Strayhorn. The whole musical package is a delight. There is variety, colour and great jazz from both Randy's horn the captivating sounds of viols.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Wonderful!"