Customer Reviews

The Claudia Quintet

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I waxed rapturous about The Claudia Quintet's second offering, I, Claudia, and immediately set about trying to obtain this, their initial outing. It took a while, but am I ever glad I finally got hold of it! This grand disc is just about its equal.

"Earthereal" chamber world-jazz, that's what we've got here. These guys are probably its only purveyors, but the aural territory they stake out is filled with mystery, beauty, and rich coloration. As in their second offering, instrumental timbre and group interaction dominate. A good part of their sound, again, relies on Matt Moran's unusual vibes conception. But each member of this extraordinary assemblage of instruments (leader John Hollenbeck, drums & percussion; Matt Moran, vibes & percussion; Ted Reichman, accordion; Chris Speed, clarinet & tenor saxophone; Drew Gress, double-bass) makes a unique contribution to the gloriously inscrutable soundscape. Together, they manage consistently to conjure strange sonorities, playful polyrhythms, weird warblings, and titillating timbres.

Some of the tunes (esp. "Burt and Ken") bear a faint resemblance to Ben Allison's great group, Medicine Wheel, but although both bands create very smart postmodern jazz, The Claudia quintet has perhaps an even more distinct sound, on account of its strange instrumentation, so effectively and engagingly deployed.

Along with artists like Mephista, John Wolf Brennan, and the Jazz Composers Collective (Ben Allison, Frank Kimbrough, Michael Blake, and others), The Claudia quintet is pushing back the frontiers of jazz in a most attractive and beguiling way.

Among the most fascinating music being made today.

I heard the Claudia Quintet live once when I was visiting New York and I was completely into the music and the playing--and this CD is just as amazing! If you're into great music that has some funk, some jazz and something totally new, then definitely check this out. A lot of the music really has this way of drawing me into a beautiful intro or melody which then slowly builds, creating this irresitable tension and anticipation--and I am never disappointed when the band switches gears and grooves to some awesome rhythms and amazing solos. And the combination of instruments is totally unique! I mean, an accordion?! But it's amazing what these musicians can do...I could go on...But you should definitely hear it for yourself!

This group has a original WARM sound. The scope is from mellow lush ballads to d+b influenced tunes to avant-garde excursions. But it is always easy to listen to (I mean that in a good way)!
I have heard and love Speed and Gress but the others are new to me and a breath of fresh air. Hollenbeck's is a great composer and drummer! Check it out!