Magic Tales: Conspiracy for Positivity

Radam Schwartz | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 21, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arabesque Recordings
• ASIN: B000W4O6RM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,749 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Magic Tales - Impressive Record From Radam Schwartz and Conspiracy for Positivity, March 6, 2009

By 

Mark "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)   

This review is from: Magic Tales: Conspiracy for Positivity (Audio CD)

Magic Tales is a very nice jazz album featuring Radam Schwartz on organ and his five piece band known as "Conspiracy for Positivity." I recently purchased this album at a live show. The NY Jazz scene is a smaller community than one might think, and I have seen Radam Schwartz perform live in a number of local venues. This is definitely a review from somebody who considers himself a "fan" of this artist. I plan on sharing this recording with as many like-minded jazz lovers as I can. This is a great collection of original compositions and a few covers, sprinkled with charm and wit.

The recording is very well put together, and should definitely appeal to a wide cross section of Jazz fans. The cover art and liner notes are very understated, but the CD is very tastefully done to look like a 7 inch 45 vinyl record. The quality of production extends from the actual disk to the recording as well.

"You'll always be my baby," is indeed a gutsy take on the hit song by Mariah Carey, "Always Be My Baby." The sound is almost akin to a big band and sets the tone for the album's large sound. An interview done by Peter Fallico included in the liner notes puts the track in context, with Radam noting his tendency to include arrangements of pop tunes to make his records accessible.

The second track is a tune co-written by Radam Schwartz and Cecil Brooks III, "Sands of Time." It's a more mellow romantic track with a very nice organ piece that has some beautiful brass arrangements hung over it. They return to a fuller larger sound with "Sunday Off Broadway," a track that includes some tempo changes that I might have re-done.

I particularly enjoyed the title track, "Magic Tales," which according to the liner notes is inspired in part by the Grover Washington Jr. song, "Mister Magic". The ensemble adds a burst of energy which is counter-balanced with beautiful soloing, including a very nice organ solo.

It's followed up by a very energetic rendition of the Joe Henderson composition, "The Kicker," and then another Schwartz original, "Imprecise Exactitudes."

The smooth ballad, "Love Conversations," is perhaps my personal favorite on this album. I really enjoy Schwartz's original compositions but each is very different. This smooth and sultry song may be the most accessible of the bunch, and it shows just how powerful a good melody can be. Anthony Ware plays a lovely alto saxophone over a very nice arrangement.

The James Gibbs III composition, "Between Me And You," is also impressive. This track is very smooth and has a lot of depth. The album finishes strong with two more originals.

CONCLUSION

It's impressive how varied this album is considering that most of these tracks are originals. I highly recommend this album to all fans of jazz music.

Enjoy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Title song is very jazzy!, February 10, 2009

By 

MusicRules "music fanatic" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magic Tales: Conspiracy for Positivity (Audio CD)

I absolutely love the title song with all of its awkward and great rhythms. It is very uplifting and upbeat.

Other pieces on this CD are also well written. I highly recommend it for anybody who wants to buy jazz fusion with a unique combination of rhythm and instrumentation.