Customer Reviews

Ondas

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

 

 

Don't even hesitate over this one. The songs get right inside your soul, with their ostinati composed in dark alternate modes. The bass and drum support is superb, and the crystalline clarity of the ECM recording makes the whole experience shimmer.

The whole album is very reflective/introspective. The opposite of a party record, it heals like balm.

The sound of waves breaking on the shore, that's what Mike Nock produces on this great album, recorded in Oslo, Norway. Rarely was an album title a more fitting description of the content. Five tracks, of which the longest runs for almost 16 minutes, conjure up the sounds of the shoreline and the sea under various weather conditions. This description is highly subjective, of course, but that's what I hear in it. Drummer Jon Christensen is a reliable partner, adding some nice touches. It's a pity that bassist Eddie Gomez doesn't really fit in. Some of his solos are just plain inferior. Maybe he was just having a bad day, but a second take might have been a good idea. But don't let that scare you away from this great CD. The sound on this album is crystal clear, true to the great ECM-tradition. As far as I can see, there's only two ways to appreciate this album : you either love it, or it leaves you totally indifferent. I just happen to love it !

Mike Nock is a wonderful Australian pianist; I first began to dig him when he was a member of Yusef Lateef's combo way back when. On "Ondas he performs in a trio setting with able support from bassist Eddie Gomez and Jon Christensen. Here he explores five of his own compositions; all are outstanding. My favorites are the evocative "Forgotten Love" and the melancholy "Land of the Long White Cloud." Close your eyes as you listen to this music and see where you end up.

As I recall, this was his follow-up to his album with Mike Brecker. Both included Ondas.

Mike Nock has been a favorite of mine since his work with Steve Marcus and Larry Coryell in the late 60's.

Jazz-rock fans should also look into picking up Mike's albums with The Fourth Way.

personification of listening to one another - playing , as if breathing , but is far more than a mood album !
the EARS OF STONE , reviewer mis-spoke , concerning the playing of Eddie Gomez ! he does not have bad days. BRILLIANT , especially in the higher register !