Customer Reviews

Generations - Dedicated to Woody Shaw

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Despite being unfamiliar with Woody Shaw's works, his name has stuck in my memory since catching news on a local radio's jazz show of the gruesome circumstances of his untimely death in 1989. Apart from three of his own compositions ('greenwood', 'windy bahn', 'chance'), Sipiagin selected five songs ('obsequious', 'cassandranite', 'beyond all limits', 'katrina ballerina' and 'blues for wood') from the late trumpeter's 3 (or 4) recordings to pay hommage to one of his key inspirators, all of which are way more than just slavish reworkings/imitations.
Instead of keyboards, as in case of the original versions (organ or piano), we have full blown jazz guitar masterfully handled by Adam Rogers. Different, usually slower, tempo, odd metre, few bars added or repeated, or reharmonization characterize the overall result, with a distinct club feel to it where each first rate musician is offered plenty space for exploration (see the knowledgable David R. Adler's highly informative sleeve notes for details). A common feature prevalent throughout the CD is the ease how seamlessly the groove shifts to straight ahead swing from more challenging rhythms/accentuation. Once Sipiagin's clear tone, energetic or pensive, virtuosic lines fade out, it's Rogers' turn to take the lead in trio format. The inclusion of the trumpeter's fellow expat, bassist Boris Kozlov (solo #3-5, intro #8) alongside long-time collaborator Antonio Sanchez (solo #1,5,7-9) on drums creates a responsive environment conducive here and there to the guitarist's rearranging some of his knotty, angular, or fluid signature patterns. Running time: 67.57 min.

I'm a jazz nut who owns about 3,000 jazz CDs, including about 30 Criss Cross CDS (the record label here) and around 10 Woody Shaw albums. I picked up this CD because I heard Sipiagin play recently with Dave Holland and I've greatly enjoyed Adam Rogers' recent recordings. I bought it today and listened to it 3 or 4 times: I'm really impressed. Sipiagin manages to nod to Woody Shaw's style without adhering only to it, and Rogers is a perfect counterpoint. Great stuff.