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John Menegon's Search Light is not only witty,
atmospheric, and thoroughly engaging from one end
to the other, it argues against the frequent error of
perceiving the role of the bass too narrowly. The bass
is so often thought of as the engine room of jazz
ensembles, providing the rhythmic pulse and
harmonic core, that many people find it hard to think
of it doing much else. On Search Light, John Menegon
shows, without self-indulgence, that the bass can
define the character of an ensemble as clearly and fully
as any other instrument. The entire project has a sure-footedness,
a quiet, elegant muscularity radiating
from Mr. Menegon's own playing, immediately apparent and compelling.
This quiet, engaging setting is ideal for Menegon's
harmonically adventurous, rhythmically textured
original compositions, played here with innovative
instrumentation, notably the voice, bass and flute trio
that states the melody on the title track "Search Light"
and the bass and saxophone treatment of the melody
in "Last Chance," a clever, distinctive homage to bop.
Mr. Menegon is often introduced as "Dewey
Redman's bassist," and although that’s certainly an
association to be proud of, Search Light ought to start
people thinking of Menegon in his own right, as
the master bassist and composer that this recording
demonstrates him to be. The band is made up
entirely of accomplished players, the best known
being, in fact, saxophonist Dewey Redman--who is,
once again, brilliant, and wonderful. Contributions are
made throughout by drummer Mark McLean,
drummer and percussionist Tani Tabbal, guitarist
Mark Dziuba, saxophonist and flautist John Gunther,
and on two selections vocalist Teri Roiger.
This review originally appeared in the July 2003 issue of
All About Jazz - New York.
~ Steven Robinson
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Personnel: John Menegon: bass; Mark McLean: drums; Tani Tabbal: drums and percussion; Mark Dziuba:
guitar; John Gunther: sax and flute; Dewey Redman: sax; Teri Roiger: vocals.
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