Customer Reviews

Awake

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

 

 

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.

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 .

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!

I am an older mainstream jazz lover, none of the hard edgy stuff for me. I heard a song, not knowing who the artist was, and was hooked. It is unfair to make comparisions, but I hear the technique of Wynton Marsalis with an orignal virtuosity. I love this stuff, so well played and composed. Please come to Boston, and bring your fresh sound!