5.0 out of 5 stars
Everybody Should Hear Allan Praskin Play - Bird Lives, February 13, 2009
This review is from: Around Jazz (Audio CD)
Allan Praskin...does the name ring a bell? I do recall the rip-roaring, bop tinged, inside/out alto solos courtesy of one Allan Praskin on a few Gunter Hampel lp's from back in the 80's. One look at his picture on the disc's cover and I knew it was the same guy. I got the disc. I had to hear what he sounded like today.
The album title is "Around Jazz" and most of the 8 tunes are standards associated with the bebop era. When I put the disc on I was floored by the intensity and the drive of this quartet. The bass player was digging in with muscular walking figures. The drummer was active and attentive to rhythmic changes, dropping "bombs" and riding cymbals, creating appropriate dramatic bebop underpinnings. The pianist and co-leader of the quartet, Wolfgang Kohl, is a real tour de force. He plays bebop with an edge. He is consistantly strong throughout and takes some outstanding solos. Praskin is the guy you really want to hear. He may stutter here and there, but he's adventurous as all get out and he never lets up. The quartet lock in from the very beginning, playing a 60+ minute set of brilliant contemporary bebop. This little jewel can be found in the hidden treasure catagory. Strongly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
