Customer Reviews

Migration

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

 

 

I love Antonio Sanchez's playing with the Pat Metheny Group. But, what really impresses me with his debut, is his ability to write tunes! It doesn't sound like a "drummer's album" or a typical album by a drummer. Not only are the tunes great, the musicianship is also. He has put together a great band that knows what to do with his tunes and take them to the next level. Antonio Sanchez contributes 4 tunes while Pat Metheny and Chick Corea each contribute a tune and there are 2 covers. Despite the fact that Chick only plays on one tune and Pat on two tunes, the album flows well - you don't really notice the change in the lineup. Great debut from a great drummer.

I have huge respect for Antonio Sanchez as a drummer. I've heard his work on a couple of projects, most notably the newer stuff from the Pat Metheny Group, and I've also seen him play live. He is truly incredible. I was very excited when I learned he was putting out a solo CD and I ordered it without hesitation.

The Chick Corea-penned opener "One For Antonio" is, as one would expect, a brilliant tune, as is the truly beautiful three-part Pat Metheny tune "Arena (Sand)", and even the Miles Davis classic "Solar" gets a decent workout here. The rest of the album however, comprises of the dry, drum, bass & sax trio stuff that just gives me migraines (although there are two saxes in this case, often playing together). David Sánchez and Chris Potter are rightly described on the inner-sleeve notes somewhere as "two of the best [current] tenor saxophonists in the world under 40" and I agree with that. They are two of my all-time favourites (and I also like bassist Scott Colley) but I just cannot get into what they've done here. It's all a lot of riffing over 'dum, dum, dum' basslines and little or no melodies that I could hear and grab a hold of, except maybe on "Challenge within", which I also quite like. It's also worth noting that Potter plays soprano saxophone on "Ballade", which is another good tune.

What I had no way of knowing until I had actually bought the CD was that Corea only plays on the one track he wrote and that Pat also only plays on two ("Arena" and "Solar"). If I had known this fact, I would probably have decided to leave the CD alone. I was hoping for an album of pure enjoyment. I didn't get it. Sanchez will no doubt go on to be a great bandleader in his own right but I'm more into people like Brian Blade and Peter Erskine at the moment.

But that's just me. Though I'm sure there are those who will be absolutely thrilled by what's on offer here, sadly, I'm not one of them. I was tempted to flog it on eBay but on consideration, decided to keep it due to the five tracks I've mentioned. Maybe the other three will grow on me in time.

I doubt it though.

I have followed Pat Metheny and his bunch for a long time and my appreciation for them keeps growing. Antonio Sánchez might be the best "fusion" drummer I have heard (hard to say, for Weckl, Bruford and Peart, among a few others, are also superb). This record is great, especially Arena, penned by Metheny himself, with just about the pefect mix of vistuosity and feeling that creates great jazz (and music in general). My only complaint is that perhaps the two (great) sax players simply play too much, and thus create a bit of an assimetry that affects the overall balance.

I downloaded this album after seeing Sanchez perform live with Afinidad. The concert was terrific and Sanchez's drumming was phenomenal. While this album is a very promising debut for Sanchez as a leader, I can't give it 5 stars and put it in a category with true jazz classics.

Overall, the original songs are well-written, if not exactly memorable, and superbly performed. Hard to complain about the lineup of musicians on the album. But I really would have liked more Sanchez and a little less of the other guys. It's like Sanchez was so conscious of his role as leader, rather than sideman, that he downplayed his own role in the group. When I buy a Pat Metheny, Chris Potter or Chick Corea album, I want to hear those guys out front. Same here, and it doesn't happen.

I enjoy this album and will no doubt keep it in the "Sunday morning coffee" rotation, but next time around I hope Antonio Sanchez brings more of Sanchez the drummer to his recordings.

I just saw Antonio Sanchez live in Seattle and was blown away. His drumming is all over the place, every style and method, he has fun. I think he hit the snare and the hi-hat cymbal at the same time at one point. What the heck is that?! Blew me away. This CD sounds excellent and contains the same amazing playing I heard at the concert. Antonio is a drummer worth looking for at the record store, he doesn't disappoint. Will sure be seeing him again in Seattle when he plays here again. Viva Antonio!!!

Got the Cd recently, I think this CD is a must have CD for any collector or Jazz aficionado, bravo, I am very glad that Antonio didn't make a "fusion" or "new Stuff" jazz (and please note that I have nothing against that genre) but, this is a rooting good jazz recording. The CD concept reminded me of Coleman or Coltrane and specially a drumming tribute to the late Ed Blackwell, This CD follows perfectly its title name: As a MIGRATION to another different sound and soul , Bravo Antonio!

There's no doubting Sanchez' drumming abilities; his effortless changes of time signature, rhythm, synchopation & colour have been fully evident for some time (most notably on The Way Up tour). In his debut as leader he is joined throughout by Scott Colley on bass & the twin saxes of Chris Potter & David Sanchez (no relation). He also pays respect to his two most prominent past & present employers, Chick Corea & Pat Metheny who each contribute one track.

Corea's "One for Antonio" leads off the set but strangely takes a while to give Sanchez room to shine. This said, it's a truly great tune & about as "complete" a classic jazz trio piece as you could hope for with loads of space given to each of piano, drums & bass.

Metheny's Arena (Sand) is similarly a great tune which invokes some great plaintive sax work from two of the current young tenor "lions" Chris Potter & David Sanchez as well as soulful solos from Pat himself.

The rest of the album (ex "Ballade" & Miles' "Solar" a great Metheny/Sanchez duet) is mainly taken up with Sanchez supporting, coaxing & propelling the two tenor saxes in generally uptempo & occasionally fiery exchanges on the leader's own compositions (the latin-tinged "Challenge Within" being the pick). Whilst I can appeciate the writing, the artistry, the chemistry & the cohesiveness of these tracks they do become a little tedious for me personally so I can't in all honesty assign an overall 5* rating.

However, despite these misgivings the album truly contains some great music firmly in the best jazz tradition(s), is a thoroughly worthwhile debut from probably the most exciting drummer on the planet & in that respect probably essential for all drum players & enthusiasts.

I love this record!! I haven't stopped listening to it in 3 weeks.

The tunes are great, the playing is stellar and most importantly they sound like a band. There is a tangible spirit present on this record. This is a great debut as a leader.

The musicians sound like they are having fun. A lot of records with "all-star' bands can often sound like a recorded version of The New York Yankees...lot's of big bats that fall short when it counts (okay, that WAS a cheap shot at the Yankees...sorry!) But you get my point.

This record does NOT sound like an over priced "all-star" group! This record sounds like a BAND of musicians who thoroughly ENJOY making music with each other! We the listeners are the ones who benefit from their joy in making this record!

Highly recommended!