3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jon Irabagon sounds traditional, February 11, 2010
This review is from: The Observer (Audio CD)
Jon Irabagon's first CD's were all modern jazz spiked with dissonance and subverted tradition. He also won the Thelonious Monk competition, and his reward was a contract to record this CD. Irabagon is playing with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Victor Lewis. It's a veteran rhythm section, and Irabagon recorded a CD of traditional jazz. The sound is lush, and the lush songs could have come from the 60's. This decision must not have pleased everyone - I saw a copy of this disc in the used pile at a local record store. If you're going to look back, you should do a good job of it, and just about every song on "The Observer" is very good. The melodies are catchy, and Irabagon's saxophone is inspired. Nicholas Payton plays tasty trumpet on "Joy's Secret" and "Big Jim's Twins". Irabagon fans who are not totally committed to modern jazz and any fan of the more traditional style of jazz should purchase this CD. Even though its traditionality keeps it at (the upper end of) 4-stars, it's one of the best of 2009.
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