Into The Light

Dana Hall | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Origin Records
• ASIN: B002OD328I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,379 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dana Hall, January 20, 2010

By 

Matthew Miller "jazzplayer" (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Into The Light (Audio CD)

Dana Hall apparently double majored in percussion and aerospace engineering in college, which sounds pretty impressive, almost as impressive as this album. It's everything you want in modern bop: a killer lineup and a great selection of songs (mostly Hall compositions with a few from the band and one of Herbie Hancock thrown in for good measure). I really dig a lot of things on this album, that Hall solos while the rest of the band keeps time under him for one, but also the arc of each song is well conceived. I like how the groove in 'Black Mountain' goes from a sort of Tony Williams rims-drive during the trumpet solo to a more traditional swing during the sax solo. I like how at the beginning of the sax solo in 'Jabbali', the rest of the rhythm section cuts out for a sort of Trane-Jones segment between Tim Warfield on sax and Hall. The only track I don't really like is the title track, which is, in my mind, marred slightly by some superfluous electronics usage, but even that may be appealing to some. All in all: a great album.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply badass postbop, November 17, 2009

By 

Kevin W. Celebi "Jazz Musician" (Greencastle, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Into The Light (Audio CD)

Now this is what I'm talking about. Climactic, cerebral, fiery improvised jazz - and it's always a good omen to start an album with a Herbie Hancock tune. You can tell that this session is led by a drummer - just listen to him back there. Tim Warfield steals the show.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Modern Bop should be, February 16, 2010

By 

Charles W. Staples (Boulder, Co. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Into The Light (Audio CD)

Full disclosure: I was privileged to be at the Green Mill in Chicago on Jan 24 2009, the night before this album was cut. The quintet played all of the album and announced they were going into the studio the next day. I have just got my hands on the CD. I have met Mr. Warfield socially on several occasions and through him met Terell Stafford and Dana Hall, both of whom I hold in high esteem.

That said, If you are a jazz fan and are wondering what is happening to modern bop or post-bop (I'm color-blind in that range) you owe it to yourself to get this album. This is not overwhelming-to-the-point-of-being-bland background jazz. This is get-out-the-good-earphones-I-don't-want-to-miss-anything listening music.

I don't wish to get into too many superlatives. Dana Hall fills the rhythmic space tightly, not letting you forget this project is lead by a percussionist. But he does not overshadow the melodic elements. Warfield and Stafford are everything you would hope for if you have ever heard them, and more than you expect if not. Bass and keyboards blend in with intimacy enough to make a virgin blush. If you are bass solo fan (and really, who isn't?) check Whitaker's solo on "For Rockelle" his ode to his daughter.

But I promised myself not to go into a track by track review. just buy and enjoy.