Awake

Miguel Zenón | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Marsalis Music
• ASIN: B00140KWI0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,712 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Miguel Zenón, one of the most exciting new voices in the jazz world, takes his most personal journey to date on AWAKE. This is the third Marsalis Music release for the alto saxophonist and composer, who was voted the overall Best New Artist award in the 2006 JazzTimes poll. It follows CEREMONIAL, a program of original compositions that appeared in 2004, and 2005's JÍBARO, a bold reinterpretation of the rural music of Zenón's native Puerto Rico. Now, the alto saxophonist and his talented quartet plus special guests present a program that is sure to bring even greater accolades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Latin flavours, June 2, 2008

By 

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awake (Audio CD)

It was on Amazon's very helpful suggestion that I decided to give this dude a try. They probably figured I'd like his Latin-influenced sound on account of the fact that I'm known to be a huge fan of David Sánchez. The funny thing is, even though Miguel Zenón actually featured on a number of Sánchez's albums - albums that I own to boot - I would never have figured looking for his solo work on my own. I'm just not that sharp. Not anymore anyway. I put it down to old age.

Ahem. Anyhoo, Amazon were smack on the money; I absolutely love this. The album is produced by Branford Marsalis, which is always a good sign. Zenón, who plays alto saxophone, sounds endearingly playful, yet eminently competent. All the songs are his and a rhythm section comprised of Luis Perdomo on piano & Fender Rhodes, Hans Glaswischnig (try saying THAT one six times quickly!) on bass and Henry Cole on drums and percussion, ably supports him.

On "awakening - interlude" (which I found busy almost to the point of being noisy), Tony Malaby appears on tenor sax, Michael Rodriguez on trumpet and Ben Gerstein on trombone. The strings on "awakening - prelude" and "lamamilla" are performed by Judith Insell (viola), Orlando Wells (violin), Marlene Rice (violin) and Nioka Workman (cello).

My favourite tracks are the quick-paced "penta" (listen out for Cole's amazing percussion work on that one), the sombre, piano-led ballad "the missing piece", the winding, multi-tempo, 12mins 3secs long "santo" (it even has vocals) and "lamamilla" (another sweet ballad, this time Rhodes-led).

The only tune I still have some difficulty with is "awakening - interlude" but it's (mostly) all good. Apart from that one hiccup, it's a great set of jazz tunes. I'll definitely be buying more of Zenón's work. He's not only a gifted musician but he's cute too, which never hurts.

4.5 stars.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIS FINEST EFFORT SO FAR IF NOT A MASTERPIECE, April 29, 2008

By 

K. Prousalis "papillon" (drama GREECE) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Awake (Audio CD)

Romance ,elegance ,refinement,melody,beauty,and harmony.What else do you want .One of the most expressive alto saxophonists of his generation in modern jazz ,which communicates with his audience stronger and stronger with every new recording he releases .His best so far and one of the best jazz releases for this decade .VERY SOPHISTICATED SOUND FROM THIS FINE ARTIST .

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, beautiful music!, April 29, 2008

By 

Dreaddie Gal (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awake (Audio CD)

Excellent writing and great musicianship! Zenon's sound on the alto sax is so distinctive.... Definitively one of the best jazz recordings so far this year. I can't wait to hear this group again live!