Customer Reviews

Jungle Tango

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

 

 

This is my first exposure to JMP, and I have to say I was absolutely blown away. Not right at first. It took about three times through before I could completely get on board with their admittedly bizarre musical esthetic, which, finally, became for me unique and beguiling, even mesmerizing. Part jazz, part jam band, part techno-trance, part power trio, JMP could most logically be put in a similar category to groups like The Bad Plus and EST. Just as Ethan Iverson's approach to jazz piano is anything but typical, Jamie Masefield's mandolin playing bears about as much resemblance to traditional mandolin playing as Bela Fleck's banjo playing bears to traditional banjo stylings. Not that JMP sound much if anything like Bela Fleck's band.

What does it sound like? It's hard to say. Ari Hoenig brings a lot of diverse influences to his drumming besides straight jazz, including hip-hop, techno, and drum and bass sensibilities, thus giving the band a thoroughly modern sound. Danton Boller plays his acoustic bass in a decidedly untraditional way as well. But it all starts and ends with Masefield's mandolin and mandola. Leaning heavily on an amplified approach, he gets sounds from his instrument one would not think possible. I found myself several times checking the disc packaging to see who's the guest electric guitarist. Talk about extended technique! If there are no overdubs on this album it's even more astounding.

Perhaps not for everyone, this band nevertheless has staked out its own unique musical territory. Word is that they're also killer live. Check 'em out.

SERIOUSLY, i just was browsing reviews and saw that NO ONE posted anything about this album! i mean it's so different for JMP and it's so jsut damn innovative and oh my god the drums....if you're a drummer, PICK UP THIS RECORD/CD/WHATEVER! it's a mazing throughout and it will get you so excited, i mena at least it does with me. Everything about this CD just amazes me, i can't say anything else but BUY IT...and REVIEW IT! and give it FIVE STARS!

Let me be clear about this. I own a lot of music. I have external drives filled up with countless gigabytes of music of all types - jazz, rock, electronic, ambient, funk, country, alternative, classical, vocal. This is one of my favorite 5 albums in my collection. Why?

This album combines perhaps the best improvisational mandolinist in the jazz world (Jamie Masefield) with one of the most ground-breaking drummers today (Ari Hoenig). This album is infectious. The opening title track starts by combining a more traditional Jazz Mandolin Project sound with the accordion and piano of Gil Goldstein (Pat Metheny) and the percussion of Chris Lovejoy (commonly with Charlie Hunter). Midway through the song, though, we see how much Ari Hoenig's influence has on this band. The pace quickens and the band has lots of room to expand and fill the space with textures.

This theme continues in 'Freddy', a completely improvised piece, that changes from being sparse to completely full, all over Ari's driving and funky beats. This is one of my favorite tracks of all time. 'At the Pershing' returns to a more traditional JMP sound, and 'Ipanema's Sister' drives forward with the kind of spacey/funky textures combined with driving beats that were prominent throughout the first two tracks.

'Oh Yeah', a JMP concert standard shines as a studio version of a song that can absolutely explode in concert, yet is consistent with the feel of the album. 'Proust' displays the technical mastery of the band, as well as ambient textures layered upon a steady drum beat and bass line. The combination of these elements produces an absolutely eerie yet powerfully moving track. 'Reich's Boogie' provides another example of solid layers beneath mandolin, yet with less complexity from Hoenig on drums.

"Pointillism" and "There's a Pipe in the Cellar" provide the darkest and most eerily moving pieces on the disc. Innovative drum lines provided by Hoenig combine with the simple bass lines of Danton Boeller, while Jamie lays down layers upon layers of mandolin effects. The result are tracks that are dance-able, groove-able, as well as capable of being used in circumstances of personal reflection and introspection.

Truth be told, I haven't heard an album as rule-breaking and powerful from a primarily performance-based band as Jungle Tango for a long time. I've played this disc to countless friends, and they all have agreed that it is wonderful. Do yourself a favor - go pick this album up. It's the best JMP album out there, and an incredible performance.

Jungle Tango is unreal. Keep in mind that's Ari Hoenig on drums, not a drum machine. I was blown away. This album is full of mind-bending sounds and the coolest grooves ever. It's way different than "Tour de Flux," with the exception of a couple songs. If you're in doubt, don't be. Jungle Tango is a solid listen. After I listened to the album in it's entirety for the first time I wished so much that I could tell the band how truly amazing the listening experience I just had was. Jamie Masefield is an unbelievable musician. Buy this album. You won't regret it.

Jazz Mandolin Project's "Jungle Tango" is a recording that won't inspire support or denouncement. That's because the music is mediocre. The musical premise and content is interesting. The Jazz Mandolin Project combines elements of instrumental jazz, bluegrass and psychedelia in a jamband context. Given that the group even uses an accordion at one point, the project is indeed interesting, but interesting is not the same as compelling. The compositions and arrangements are weak. Considering the instrumental jamband approach, the improvisation needed to shine. It too falls short. The feel of the album is painfully sanitized and neutered. It lacks the improvisational merits of most jambands; it is missing the warmth of Americana and it does not have the intelligence of jazz. That written, this is not a bad album, it's just mediocre. Ultimately, this is the answer to Ann M. Keeling's question, "...Why has no one reviewed this since March 22, 2005?" For most listeners, "Jungle Tango" lacks the substance to inspire praise or condemnation.

Since the other reviews of "Jungle Tango" are so glowing, I just have to jump in here. Appreciate this in the spirit of offering an alternative, less popular perspective. We do still believe in a marketplace of ideas, right? "Jungle Tango" is mediocre. The musical premise and content is interesting. The Jazz Mandolin Project combines elements of instrumental jazz, bluegrass and psychedelia in a jamband context. Given that the group even uses an accordion at one point, the project is indeed interesting, but interesting is not the same as compelling. The compositions and arrangements are weak. Considering the instrumental jamband approach, the improvisation needed to shine. It too falls short. The feel of the album is painfully sanitized and neutered. It lacks the improvisational merits of most jambands; it is missing the warmth of Americana and it does not have the intelligence of jazz. I read so much praise for mandolin player Jamie Masefield. At the end of the day, Masefield doesn't hold a match up to David Grisman's bonfire. All of that written, this is not a bad album, it's just mediocre. I so wanted to like this disc; that's why it so pains me to write these words. "Jungle Tango" has merits but ultimately lacks substance.