In Orbit

Planet Jazz | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sharp Nine
• ASIN: B000EULSE8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,447 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Discovery, May 16, 2006

By 

John Tapscott (Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Orbit (Audio CD)

The cooperative band "Planet Jazz" may be known to those who follow the New York City hard-bop scene. But for most jazz listeners, this band and its music will be a delightful discovery. The band was first formed some years ago by drummer/composer Johnny Ellis, and with one exception has maintained the same personnel since 1991. The exception is Ellis himself who died at age 44 in 1999. Joe Strasser was called in to play the drum chair and the band has become active again in New York clubs under the musical direction of pianist Spike Wilner.

Given Sharp Nine's reputation and the personnel on the CD, one would expect "In Orbit" to be a solid hard-bop date. Certainly the music here falls somewhat into the hard-bop category, but it also draws heavily from bop, small-group swing and Ellington. Five of the eight tunes on the CD are by Ellis. Don't let his off-the-wall titles fool you (there's a story behind each one). Ellis' compositions are melodic, memorable, generally optimistic in nature, and always quite intricate. They swing hard but perhaps flow a bit more smoothly than the typical hard-bop composition. Ellis was clearly a very gifted musician and his tunes include burners, ballads, waltzes, and medium tempo swingers. He had a great ear for contrasts and dynamics within a given tune. Ellis' arrangements make the band sound larger than it actually is and he occasionally incorporates patterns from the big band tradition. All of this comes together on the CD's tour de force, "The Lemur is a Dreamer", which begins as a ballad, shifts into swing time, becomes a burner featuring a hard-swinging tenor solo by Grant Stewart, then ends with the ballad section once more. It's an outstanding jazz performance.

The CD's program is rounded out by Charlie Shavers' Caravan-like "Dawn on the Desert"; Hampton's Hawes' waltz "Sonora" which has a gripping introduction arranged by Wilner; and the closing Ellington/Hodges blues,"Dual Highway", which swings down the middle of the road with excellent solos by the band members. Overall, the program is exceptionally strong, well-balanced, and consistently interesting.

Planet Jazz is a very tight band which handles the tricky arrangement without missing a step. The soloists are very good indeed, and guitarist Peter Bernstein is consistently outstanding in his solos and as part of the band's rhythmic foundation. Grant Stewart plays strong solos on tenor with his attractive tone and even brings Paul Gonsalves to mind on "Dual Highway". Joe Magnarelli leads the ensemble on trumpet or fluegelhorn, and solos in a warm, flowing style. Wilner is an agile pianist whose fleet solos radiate a sense of joy and discovery. Bassist Neal Miner and drummer Strasser underpin the band's music with swinging and tasteful rhythmic drive.

Planet Jazz's "In Orbit" is an uplifting, warmly recorded, and highly recommended CD. This superb addition to the Sharp Nine catalogue will appeal to a wide spectrum of jazz listeners.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars aural ambrosia baby !, January 18, 2007

By 

Robert I. Bloom (brooklyn, ny USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Orbit (Audio CD)

i am deliriously happy to share a planet w these guys and be in orbit w them whenever i can make it down to smalls jazz club in nyc--where these brilliant musicians hold sway every sunday ----the music on this disc is magical & mesmerizing ----its a sheer delight to come across this level of sterling musicianiship and composition --- played weekly still --thanks to the vision and genius of the founder of the greatest jazz haven on the planet---i`m talkin about mitch borden and smalls---the underground grotto and jazz bar --& most importantly the place where these young passionate practitioners of americas greatest music can and have for over a decade now played listened worked on worked out developed expanded & honed their skills----plied their trade---musicians living from hand to mouth most times---living to play --- and playing to live----the dedicated listeners who reap the benefits in hearing these artists regularly- over the years- owe the greatest debt to mitch of course--- and his vision and his continued relentless dedication to this wonderful thrilling poignant passionate music--- most of the musicians who play and have played here play all over the world now---spreading the gospel everywehere--- and in a world of phony hype---trash masquerading as art , fear paranoia , violence and all the rest----this is no mean feat ! its truth and beauty baby !!!!!!!! ever more cherished today than ever -----this sweet scene and its architect --mitch borden-----praise to the heavens ! listen and you shall hear it in this recording-----music truly to soothe the savage beast in all of us !