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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A glorious overview of modern jazz . . ., May 4, 2006
. . . and a real bargain to boot: Three discs for the price of one; three hours of music for under $15.00. Can't beat that. Of course, if it'd sucked, it wouldn't be a bargain at all. But it doesn't.
Not everything is going to be to everyone's taste. But there's enough thoroughly enjoyable music to satisfy just about any jazz fan.
I'm especially taken by the playing of Terreon Gully on drums. He brings a nasty whip-snap approach to the table, consistently goading the other players into places they might not normally go, laying down wicked beats, and generally wreaking controlled havoc.
Geoff Keezer on keyboards also impresses greatly. Playing mainly Fender Rhodes (I think; it's not credited in the liner notes--but in any case, not an acoustic piano), he comps and solos like a maniac.
Saxophonist Ron Blake (on tenor, soprano, and baritone) has become one of my favorite modern players. His latest recording under his own name, Sonic Tonic, is entirely worth picking up, and his brawny tone and very advanced harmonic conception fit perfectly into this band.
The leader, of course, has been on the scene for nearly two decades, although he's not yet in his forties. His impeccable time, huge extended technique, songwriting aptitude, and band leading skill rank him among the leading jazzmen of today.
These three discs, capturing live performances on the 10th and 11th of January 2005 at NY's Tonic nightclub, contain the best takes of his opening sets on consecutive nights (disc one), plus the entirety of the second sets on nights one (disc two) and two (disc three). The first disc, because it culls the best of his first-set performances over two nights, is tighter and more focused. The second sets include guest performers and tend to document longer, fully improvised sessions. Guests include Charlie Hunter (guitar), Jason Moran (piano), and Jenny Scheinman--wrongly rendered as Schienman--(violin) on disc two, and Eric Krasno (guitars), DJ Logic (turntables), Scratch (beat box), and Rashawn Ross (trumpet) on disc three. Things get a little chaotic on these latter discs, what with the extended jams and broadened sonic palette, but they have their own astounding moments, and I think it's just a matter of taste as to which sessions listeners will prefer.
In any case, this is music entirely worth acquiring for any jazz listener who wants to know where the music is at and where it's going. Highly recommended.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Lil' Sumthin' 4 every1... or something like that, May 17, 2006
McBride has offered us a great deal... three discs for the price of one. But I encourage you to think about it more like this... one great disc.. for the price of one, but you get two bonus discs of material. The first disc is first rate jazz fusion. I was blown away on "Vertical Horizan" when they opened with Technicolor Nightmare and I am still impressed on the live disc. If you are like me you will probably play the fits 10 seconds of this disc over and over and over before you even get to the rest of the tracks. It is a GREAT unison lick, very powerful and very funky. The playing on the first disc is outstanding. Of course it is the best of the first sets on the two nights. This is an amazingly tight group. If you get off on an ensembles subtle nuances and ability to really play with each other... not just play, you will flip over some parts of the first disc. It ranges from great RTF-esque moments of fusion and then slips right into something swinging. It is fair to say that all of the players on this disc are top-notch but of special note is Ron Blake. Blake is really a fantastic player who seems to be slipping under too many people's radar... of course I guess I could say that about alot of players in jazz (because as we all know too much good music being made that know one is hearing... but this is a review not a rant on the state of music). The CMB band is a great context for Blake's aggresive style and sound.
To be honest.. the second disc didn't do as much for me. Perhaps it is because I was still riding a high from the first disc... or perhaps it is because I was not high. the second disc represents the enture second set from the 1st night. Let me say first off how cool it is to hear something like this... it is a unique experience. Having said that the second has some very strong moments. The first track's second line feel is very cool and really gets you in the mood for some new orleans style funk, a little Rebirth Band flavor... and then it goes... well somewhere else from there. This is not to say it is bad, just loose and sometmes feels cluttered. By the end of the disc you have left New Orleans, travelled to Philly for some funk and ended up tripping at the Filmore East. This whole second disc really has a Miles fusion era feel too it. Some of it takes you somewhere and sometimes you are left scratching your head wondering where you are. Keep in mind though you have paid for the first set...your just getting to experience the late night jams for free, and for free you are more than getting your money's worth. I mean hey you also get to heard Jason Moran, Jenny Schienman and Charlie Hunter jam-out.
The third disc consists of four tunes... so as might might expect they are long. This disc is just a hard-core funk jam session. This is a party. If you like the Brand New Heavies (especially Heavy Rhyme Vol. 1), The Roots, Lettuce, Soulive, or you were the guy who got more into the instrumental than the other cuts on the Beastie Boy albums you will totally dig this third disc, second set on the second night. I would have liked to hear Blake let loose a bit more but this is fun disc. This is the type of disc you through on at a house party or BBQ. The guest appearences buy DJ Logic and Scratch are pretty cool. Like i said I would have liked to hear Blake really let go on some of these funk jams but all the playing is fine. Sometimes my ear begs to hear a MC... and oh if just Common had stuck his head in that night, but oh well. This is still a funking good disc!
For the price, which I would not complain about if this CD was just the 1st disc, you cannot beat it.
This disc, all 3 of them, begs to be played loud... so sit down, or go for a drive and crank it... let other people hear your music for a change, maybe they will learn something.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just the Tonic!, May 8, 2006
Christian McBride and Roy Hragrove are determined to prove that jazz can be fun, funky, uplifting, a shout for joy! And on this 3 disc set, McBride and Co deliver the goods. Exhorting the crowd to make some noise, the pre-eminent bass player in jazz turns in a workout that would raise the dead and make them holler. Less compositional, and far mor jam-band and improvisational, his team takes flight on each number as though this will be their last session on earth. The crowd definitely responds enthusiastically, and it will be weeks before you can wipe that smile off your face.
Guest artists include the incomparable Jason Moran and Charlie Hunter, but even the core group is altogether ready and willing to throw caution to the wind. That the whole project comes off so successfully is what makes Music itself such a gift, an ineffable positive force in life, without which we'd be so entirely diminished. By all means, pick this up. In fact send one to Wynton Marsalis. He could use the lift.
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