Customer Reviews

Matador

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Turning Point is a talented quintet of smooth jazz artists who hail from Phoenix, Arizona. Music from their previous CD has been highlighted on our radio station play list for the last 6 months, via the Live365.com Music Library. To describe their style, they've patterned their music based on the group, Spyro Gyra. However, their style of music is original and satisfying. Their latest CD, "Matador" mixes it up with Latin, Flamenco & Native American rhythms. The group sounds uniquely invigorating. The track, "Quisiera Ser" is the highlight of this release. It's an invigorating track that will remind you of the southwest. It's a great piece of work that will become a classic.

From fusion-funk to flamenco, Arizona-based Turning Point has created its most dynamic album yet, and covers all the hues of contemporary jazz within the scope of MATADOR's eleven tracks, nine of which are originals. In the same way that Hiroshima has successfully melded their Asian heritage and contemporary jazz, so, too, has this outstanding band deftly combined elements of brothers Demitri (bass) and Thano (guitar) Sahnas' Greek heritage and the band's Southwest Latin jazz heritage with progressive jazz, rock, R&B, and blues. The result: an energetic, compelling collection of amazing performances. The rest of this popular band: Steve Culp on keys and John Herrera on drums/percussion, plus, featured sax man Domenic Amato. The first radio hit from MATADOR is a flamenco-funk cover of the Latin Grammy-winning "Quisiera Ser" from South American superstar Alejandro Sanz's songbook.  In addition, you need to check out the killer "salsa meets hummus" treatment of the classic, "Spain," which features Charlie Bisharat on violin. My favorites also include the festive "Despues de Manana" and the way hip retro-soul "Suburban Safari." Good stuff indeed, and if it sounds like this band has fun making their music, it's definitely by design. To quote John Herrera, "The reason we're successful is that we are committed to having fun, no matter what." MATADOR is not only fun, but also a quality project from a quality band. One listen and you'll be able to see why Turning Point is the hottest thing going in Arizona outside of the sun! ~Scott O'Brien

I heard a cut from this CD on satellite radio. WOW! So I bought this and found their previous two CD's and bought those, too. What a welcome change from the normal rehashed "processed cheese" that passes, lately, for C-Jazz. Inventive, upbeat, great mixture of different (well played) instruments and (here's the best part) each cut rides on a different mood and sound. Even the few slower tracks are tastefully done and fresh. Tired of a whole CD's worth of mind-numbing, synthesized repetition? Check this one out! (And, BONUS, you get a cool sampler CD as well.) Keep 'em coming, guys!

Matador is a great record. I'm sending this CD to all my friends for Christmas... I love this band because although they are incredibly talented, they don't take themselves so seriously, and the resulting music is spontaneous, passionate, and fun. If you ever get the chance to see John Herrera play live -- don't miss it.

Turning Point is a great band here in the Phoenix area and love all their music. This CD is really worth it to buy and love listening to it.

A daring release from this group, they effortlessly blend rock, jazz, funk, and several Latin and Mediteranean styles of music into one outstanding album. While this band is classed as Contemporary Jazz, they don't let themselves be bound by the genre's arbitrary standards. They push the boundaries of Jazz and create a smooth sound that ranges from the melancholic and inspiring Here Today Gone Tomorrow to the upbeat Samba-esque Spain. The album is an eclectic experience that is a joy to listen throughout, definitely an essential in your collection.

What can I say? This group (in my humble opinion) is a diamond in the rough, with a very bright future. Their musicianship, and their collective compositional talent, are exemplary! My recommendation: Treat yourself and others to the music of this outstanding band!

. . . is a band that could become something special.

Unfortunately, that band is not the Turning Point default band. The TP default band is a rather sappy jazz lite outfit interchangeable with the Rippingtons, Steve Oliver, Brandon Fields, Peter White, and scores of other vapid, vacuous purveyors of smooth jazz.

The main problem here, I believe, is sax player Dominic Amato. With a tone and concept partaking about equally of Kenny G and David Sanborn at his cheesiest, he's practically unlistenable, at least to these ears.

Guitarist Thano Sahnas, on the other hand, plays his butt off. With an approach not unlike the great Steve Erquiaga, he almost always impresses, even on the more saccharine numbers. Steve Culp, especially on piano, also has some nice moves, but most of the time he's relegated to generic-sounding keyboards.

But the inclusion of several more high-powered and musically interesting numbers (the title cut, "Spain," and "Lickety-split") show that this band could easily move out of the jazz lite doldrums into territory a lot more adventurous and satisfying.

Here's hoping they do. Until then, I can't give them more than ***1/2.