Customer Reviews

The Magic Hour

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wynton's Blue Note debut album, The Magic Hour, is a sweet, simple affair full of catchy melodies and tasteful playing. None of the performers (Marsalis, Ali Jackson-drums, Carlos Henriquez-bass, Eric Lewis-piano) are bending their talents to the breaking point, but that's not really the thrust of this album I don't think. It's a groove record that invites you in with open arms and says, "when jazz feels good, it's better than any musical feeling you can find, and we want you to feel good, so let's go." Marsalis is a careful composer and his melodies here are deliberately simple, the focus being on the rhythmic interplay that can be achieved between gifted musicians like the quartet he's assembled. Ali Jackson especially stands out--check out his playing on "Free to Be" and "Big Fat Hen"--grooving and full of feeling--complex but not showy. The only weak spot is "Feeling of Jazz" sung by guest vocalist Dianne Reeves, but it's not her fault. She sings well but the song's meaning is forced and doesn't feel natural. Luckily it's the first track on the record, so you can skip to track two and away you go. The recording quality is superb and makes this one a treat to listen to.

I've always been a luke warm Marsalis fan. I think he has a lot of playing talent but has been sidetracked too much by a feeling of duty to Jazz which has made his composition derivative and soulless. With the exception of Majesty of the Blues his records seem simply to lack character and emotion. When I saw he'd been picked up by Blue Note I was excited to see if the traditional Blue Note energy and soul would inspire him and I think it has. The compositions on this record are basic, almost elementary, but have a childlike naïveté and playfulness that is a breath of fresh air. Moreover, it sounds like some of the best Blue Note recordings of the past both in recording style and playing. This record will probably not get good reviews from the press, or most Marsalis fans, but for those of us who are looking for something in the same spirit as the many great recordings of the 50s and 60s, there is something authentic and very worthwhile in this disc.

One note- the disc is copy protected. Of all the fans who can be trusted to respect the music, I think Blue Note's are at the top of the list and we should not be punished for supporting the label and the musicians by buying the CD.

This is Wynton Marsalis unplugged ... sort of. Not in the traditional sense (as far as I know his long-time septet was never "plugged") but in the sense of being stripped down to the basics, revealing an obvious and simple beauty.

If you are a fan of the dense, grandiose, aggressive and adventurous recordings Mr. Marsalis has produced in recent years then this could even be a disappointment. But if what has attracted you to Mr. Marsalis' music in the past has been its basic intelligence and themes, then this will seem like a breath of fresh air, one you might not even realize you needed.

If you know Mr. Marsalis' The Majesty of Blues released way back in 1989, then you have an idea what Magic Hour has to offer -- yes, it's been 15 long years since the modern era's ambassador for the genre produced something that so effortlessly floats out of the speakers.

This may represent a new direction or evolution for Mr. Marsalis, who will turn 43 this year. It includes a new band made up of drummer Ali Jackson, pianist Eric Lewis, and Carlos Henriquez on bass. And it is Mr. Marsalis' first album with Blue Note Records after ages recording on Columbia.

For all its merits, there are two songs here that seem not to fit, both of which involve singers, Dianne Reeves on "Feeling of Jazz," and Mr. Marsalis' long-time collaborator Bobby McFerrin on "Baby, I Love You." Of course, neither is bad (although when I first heard it, "Baby, I Love You" seemed like an afterthought) ... they just don't seem to fit the simple theme of this otherwise lovely collection.

This CD targets all levels of jazz fans, whether they be the casual listeners, the student, or the well educated. It has enough complexity to keep the analyzer busy, and enough simplicity to keep the casual listening happy. Wynton shows his talent on this album, and his group is simply incredible. The pianist is, to put it mildly, phenomenal. This album covers many types of jazz, many being in the title track itself. If you are a Wynton fan, do yourself a favor and pick this up. If you are not a Wynton fan, I still strongly recommend it because of the very talented band that is playing with him.

Let me first start out by saying I have been a hot and cold fan of Marsalis. I was curious that he decided to do an album with Blue Note and I'm glad he did. The last time I felt this way about an album was when I first popped in Kind of Blue. This isn't groundbreaking material but a back to basics with a smaller group and the results are great. A great jazz album can be played at anytime, morning or night and this is it. Pick this up today.

Sure, I am no expert on Wynton Marsalis as this is only the 3rd CD of Wynton's I have owned (I picked it up cuz it's only AUS$17). Sure, the music is a bit light and isn't as advanturous as some of the fans would expect. Sure, the music may sound simple, but man, THEY REALLY SWING!

I really dig this 'less is more' approach the musicians have adopted on this CD. The sound is raw and soulful. The phrasings are beautiful and delicate. And the New Orlean drum beats (and the hand clappings) are deliciously funky.

maybe we were just waiting too long. maybe expectations began to outrun reality.

it had been so long since mr. marsalis entered a studio to record a small group session, or any session, for that matter, that wasn't a ballet score, opera, concept album, etc. when we heard that mr. marsalis had joined blue note, home of art blakey, lee morgan, hank mobley, jackie mclean, horace silver--tthe pillars of hard bop--there was hope that soon we would hear mr. marsalis recreating "the rumproller" or "moanin'" or "dippin'", but with his own inimitable touch. maybe "black codes" with that rudy van gelder magic.

but, no.

we got a straight ahead run through a batch of jazz songs, one stupid vocalese with bobby mcferrin, and not enough fire to warrant taking the cd off the shelf after the first few listens.

this would be all right if we were talking about some young kid making their first record. but this is mr. marsalis, the self-appointed protector of modern jazz, a performer with almost twenty-five years experience. miles davis produced controversy twenty-five years out, creating a entire genre of funk-electric noise rock jazz that grabbed you even if it shocked you. thelonious monk retired twenty-five years out having said what he wanted to say.

where's the freshness here? maybe it's time to step away from the mike.

good, basic jazz--but not worth the wait.

I purchased this CD a few days ago, and really liked it. I decided to glance at the reviews on amazon and I don't really understand why so many people dislike this album. One review recomended the standards CD on columbia over this album so I went out and bought it. I actually enjoy this album more. It has some really cool moments.

The whole CD is excellent but the first Track "Feeling Of Jazz" alone has all the material to showcase or test the strengths of your Sound System. A Number of Audio Clubs including NY Audio Society and NY Audio Rave and others have this track as part of their Reference Test CD. This track has the dynamics, transparency, the immediacy, soundstage, palpability and of course the midrange beauty.

Highly Recommended.

A veces hay musicos que se enfocan en el virtuosismo, y crean trabajos magistrales pero demasiado densos y dificiles de escuchar. Este trabajo de Wynton supera esta dificultad, haciendo un trabajo de excelencia musical y a la vez tremendamente entretenido al escuchar. Y llegar a ese valance no es facil. Por eso entiendo que este trabajo es sencillamente perfecto.