Deviantics [Original recording reissued]

Chris Speed | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 6, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Songlines
• ASIN: B00000IJGV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,433 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

Without much fanfare, Chris Speed's originality, chops, and melodicism have made him one of the best tenor-sax and clarinet players in today's avant-garde. Here, he's joined by his frequent sidemen: trumpeter Cuong Vu, bassist Skuli Sverrisson, and drummer Jim Black. Much of the work is influenced by Balkan music; it's modal-based and performed in odd meters. "Syncretics," however, is free jazz. This is a relaxed session with an emphasis on solo and collective improvising. Speed stands out on both of his instruments. His relatively light tone and sparing use of vibrato on tenor suggest he's drawn on the Lester Young school. There's also a Coltrane influence in his work. On clarinet, his pure, pretty tone reminds of Jimmy Hamilton, although it probably comes from classical training. On both instruments, he's melodically inventive and thoughtful. Cuong Vu performs imaginatively and demonstrates versatility; he can improvise pensively or forcefully. He structures solos nicely and does some growling to add timbral variety to them. Sverrisson has got it all: chops, sensitivity, and originality. He's able to harness his virtuosity in the process of doing a great job as an accompanist and ensemble player (there's some very cohesive collective playing going on here). And he's a very fine soloist who brings all registers of his instruments into play. As is also evidenced by his solo album, Sermonie, he's one of the most sophisticated and advanced musicians around in the area of using electronic technique. Black has excelled with Pachora, Speed, and Dave Douglas in performing Balkan-influenced music. In all contexts, he keeps things moving without being obtrusive. His playing is crisp and tasty.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great in parts, but drags a little bit, March 10, 2003

By 

bimwa (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deviantics (Audio CD)

There's no denying that Chris Speed's Yeah NO is a great band - Speed is a wonderful reedman and composer (experience ranging from Human Feel to Pachora to Tim Berne to Dave Douglas). Trumpeter Cuong Vu is similarly experienced, a vibrant player (check out his work on Bobby Previte's "Too Close To The Pole"). Skuli Sverrisson (bass) and Jim Black (drums) are absolutely amazing - they are understandably also the rhythm section with Pachora, Jim Black's AlasNoAxis, Laurie Anderson, and who knows how many others...

Despite this great ensemble of musicians, something just doesn't sit quite right about this recording. The focus here is really on improvisation and so most of the time the melodies seem a bit like afterthoughts and are not very memorable. Also, the tempo of the album pretty much stays between slow and moderate, which isn't a terrible thing in itself, but as a result it sounds a bit stodgy and samey. Two main exceptions: a trumpet solo in track 2 'Reconnoiter' which goes briefly to double time, and most of track 5 'Wheatstone' which is *the only uptempo track*.

"Deviantics" is not without its awesome moments. The opener 'Pith Remix' is extremely funky, particularly when Sverrisson drops his bassline down an octave to 5-string territory. 'Eddie Cano' is a beautiful dirge which features Black on melodica. And the album's closer 'East Europe Rundown' is a solid Balkan-flavoured Speed composition (though a bit slow, as mentioned above).

The whole album has an Eastern European flavour to it, as with Pachora, another collective of similar musicians (the only difference in lineup is Brad Shepik on saz/tambura instead of Cuong Vu). Pachora comes together generally a bit better than Yeah NO, but it does have a more traditional flavour (Speed sticks to clarinet, for example).

In conclusion, "Deviantics" is a pretty abstract album, with a main focus on improvisation. It'll grow on you, but I think that some parts will always seem a little bit samey and slow.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot of variety, yet still cohesive, February 7, 2001

By 

Douglas T Martin (Alpharetta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deviantics (Audio CD)

A collection of Balkan-inspired works performed by some of the best players in the business. Chris Speed again demonstrates his strong compositonal skills; just like on his recording "Iffy", the songs cover a lot of different styles, from a straight-up eastern European march ("East Europe Rundown") to dissonant, atmospheric pieces ("Eddie Cano"). Trumpeter Cuong Vu, who nearly showed up Dave Douglas as part of Douglas' Sanctuary octet has a very strong presence on this recording; his melodic lines are clear and sharp. Excellent performances from everyone. Recommended to fans of Masada, Dave Douglas, and anyone with interests in both modern jazz and eastern European and/or Klezmer-type music.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, February 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Deviantics (Audio CD)

Chris Speed's excellent work with Dave Douglas, among others, is followed up on this terrific CD. The sound is somewhat exotic with playing on an extremely high level. I was expecting something along the lines of "Tiny Bell" but Deviantics is a very original cd. The compostions are open, allowing plenty of group improv and also included some excellent solos. If you're a fan of Douglas you'll probably like this but don't expect a carbon copy!