Customer Reviews

Animation Imagination

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have not heard anything new in jazz in some time, but this CD blew my socks off. While some may argue that it is merely an extension of what Miles was doing in the 70s, it goes much further. This CD has the potential to reach a much wider audience than most other jazz CDs, but I feel that poor marketing on the part of Blue Note and prejudice might hold it back. It is very rare that there is such a fine CD that pleases the masses without sacrificing or watering down the on the most important aspect, improvisation.

Fresh and interesting fusion of be-bop and drum-n-bass. The first and last tracks represent a more straight forward jazz sensibility and sound, with the rest of the album exploring what happens when a drum-n-bass collides with Tim's trumpet. Produced by jazz performer Bob Belden who also plays piano on a few tunes.

I picked this one up after listening to Hagans & Belden's "Re-Animation: Live in Montreal." The first impression I had was that Tim Hagans has taken the 70s-80s Miles Davis sound to the next level, perhaps in the direction Davis would have gone. I still have this feeling when I listen to either of these CDs. Moreover, one might assume that "Re-Animation: Live in Montreal" is merely a live version of "Animation - Imagination," but the two CDs are distinct, each with unique qualities. I love this studio set, but sometimes I prefer the live one in Montreal, where Tim Hagans on trumpet, Bob Beldon on soprano sax, and four supporting musicians pushed the sound further. This studio effort, however, has much to recommend it. First, the list of musicians is impressive, including Ira Coleman on bass, Kurt Rosenwinkel on guitar, DJ Smash on synthesizers, and Kevin Hays on Fender Rhodes. Second, though there's a lot of improv going on here, the playing is extremely tight, giving the kind of crisp, clean sound that Miles Davis achieved on his best studio recordings ("Get Up with It" being one of my favorites). The advantage of "Re-Animation: Live in Montreal," on the other hand, is that the musicians have the music down and are able to stretch out, which is what they seem to do best. Both of these CDs are highly recommended and complement each other nicely.

What can I say except that I was blown away from the first listen. Otherworldly only begins to describe this modern masterpiece. I had to check the recording date to be certain that this wasn't remastered 1970's era jazz. Just wonderful.

The perfect blend between Miles' 70's sounds and the sounds in the wee hours of a deafening eccentric desert rave. Must be heard.

Just a quick sample on three or four numbers does not justify the full value of the CD.Jim is a great jazz trumpet player. I would to hear more straight ahead jazz, with less electronic backing.