This is G o o g l e's cache of http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0903_060.htm. G o o g l e's cache is the snapshot that we took of the page as we crawled the web. The page may have changed since that time. Click here for the current page without highlighting. To link to or bookmark this page, use the following url: `http://www.google.com/search?q=cache%3AUvVIjDESFVMJ%3Awww.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0903_060.htm+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8` Google is not affiliated with the authors of this page nor responsible for its content.

SEARCH |  |  |
| .. |
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER |  |
| ..

Bookmark Us! - Contact Us - Comments - Help Wanted - Advertise - Media Awards - Submit Your Link - Tell A Friend - For Contributors
MONTHLY GREETING Pack Light GETTING STARTED Welcome to AAJ! New to Jazz? Building a Jazz Library History of Jazz Jazz Humor
Show All Titles About AAJ Showcase Up For It Keith Jarrett Azalea LM Pagano Three Guitars Coryell, Assad & Abercrombie Paesanos on the New B3 Tony Monaco The Bandwagon Jason Moran Word of Mouth Revisited Jaco Pastorius Big Band Smoky Dawn Lynette Washington
Jon Mayer
| . |
Neo-Modernism Either/Orchestra | Accurate Records
It's puzzle why the ten man Either/Orchestra, under the leadership of saxophonist Russ Gershon, is still something of an underground outfit. They've been through fifteen years and eight albums, the spawning of careers of several first rate jazz men, including John Medeski and Charlie Kohlhase, and scores of great live performances. The groups's last two CDs, More Beautiful than Death and Afro-Cubism, were progressive jewels – African and Latin rhythms with dark undercurrents, dense arrangements that demand repeat listenings; challenging compositions, and at least one raucous masterpiece: "The Ethiopian Suite." Neo-Modernism continues in this vein – brightly truculent (in the very best sense of the word) with dark underpinnings, intricate textures, vibrant soling, and a palpable sense of the joy of musical creation pervading the proceedings. The Either/Orchestra consists of three brass, three reeds, piano/bass/drums and a percussionist. The sound is full and rich, in your face a great deal, with a lot of churning going on beneath the surface, thanks to Gershon's arranging skills. Gershon's E/O sound has been compared to trombonist/arranger Melba Liston's work with Randy Weston's large units and Sam Rivers' big ensemble recordings. On Neo-Modernism you'll hear the influence of Mingus, a la Mingus Mingus Mingus on "The Modernist," with its dense texture and Rick McLaughlin's muscular, aggressive bass lines. The spirit of Coltrane's African Brass session seems to be hanging around "Los Olvidados," with its all-encompassing harmonies and dark rhythms. There's also a nod to Thelonius Monk and soprano sax man Steve Lacy (who has made it his mission to interpret Monk's music), on "Baby Invents Monk." Add to these a hard-driving, edgy take on "Fast Edd," written by former E/O bassist Bob Nieske, that features Gershon's Steve Lacy-esque soprano sax work. The set closes with "Heavily Amplified Hairpiece," a title that could have been penned by Mingus, but the song opens with a knock and rumbling Bitches Brew groove, with drummer Harvey Wirht and percussionist Vincente Lebron cooking along on a hot simmer, an organic opening to a song that adds the wasp sting (a new thing for E/O) of electronics to the mix. Progressive as always, spirited, and with too many creative solos to mention. Visit the Either/Orchestra and Accurate records at www.accuraterecords.com ~ Dan McClenaghan
| Track Listing: Los Olvidados, Baby Invents Monk, The Modernist, Fast Edd, Heavily Amplified Hairpiece Personnel: Russ Gershon, tenor and soprano saxes; Tom Halter, Colin Fisher, trumpets; Joel Yennior, trombone; Jeremy Udden, alto sax; Charlie Kohlhase, baritone sax; Gregory Burk, piano, Rhodes piano, Moog, Univox; Rick McLaughlin, bass; Harvey Wirht, drums, cymbals, cowbell; Vincente Lebron, conga, bongos, percussion
Search For Another CD Review... Search by Artist Name, Record Label or Review Author
Contact Us - Help Wanted - Suggestion Box - Advertise - Submit Your Link - For Contributors

All material copyright © 1996-2003 All About Jazz and contributing writers. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy