4.0 out of 5 stars
It's A Jazz Thing CD Review, February 5, 2008
This review is from: Spiral Sky (Audio CD)
Spiral Sky by The David Joel Quartet takes us through the whole spectrum of the modern jazz genre. Straight off the bat "The Dance of Life" is perhaps my favorite track on the cd. Light and breezy this could be the perfect track of the long New Zealand summer we have coming up. Rich flowing cords from Joel's guitar and very tasty Rhodes piano from John Stenger. Tracks two and three are the longest on the cd release clocking in at 10:54 & 11:21 respectively and both tracks have a wonderful jazz-fusion feel with "Western Lies" in particular containing some very strong drumming from Dan Monaghan. The only other member of the Quartet I haven't mentioned so far is bassist Paul Gehman. Gehman stays in the background for much of the cd but delivers a strong platform at all times especially on "Eastern Truth" where he lays down a rich bassline. "As It May End" is a very spacious ballad with David on acoustic guitar and some dreamy Rhodes from Stenger. "The Star Spangled Gospel" is, I guess, Joel's homage to Jimi Hendricks - a blues infused piece with wonderful organ accompaniment from Stenger. Overall one comes away with the feeling of a very well rounded jazz-fusion band. Joel at times sounds like Metheny, Hendricks and others that he may have been influenced by but he has his own voice that shines through. David Joel is a new name to me and one that in would like to hear from again in the future.
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