Third Eye

Ben Allison | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Palmetto Records
• ASIN: B00000J89L
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,502 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No description available.
Genre: Jazz Music
Rating:
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: Compact Disk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...the future of jazz, April 16, 2000

By 

David Cosper (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Third Eye (Audio CD)

Ben Allison is unique and dynamic musician. His compositional concept is fully developed on this disk. His melodies are substantial, though untraditional. This music does not really sound "outside" at all. But it encompasses a world of musical styles. Its individuality lies in that it is coherent (despite its eclecticism)and sincere (despite its novelty). This could be be owing to the amazing group of musicians on the record. These are not "session" players--this is a band. Which is something modern jazz is lacking. These guys have played together for years, and have developed a real sound, which does not come only from Allison, himself. Ben is the master of the bass ostinato, but usually with a twist, whether an odd time signature or an unorthodox playing technique. (I swear he's hitting the strings with a drum stick on "Mantra.") Frank Kimbrough is a genius, and a real "color" player. You might have to hear him play to know what I mean. I love his left hand in particular. Ted Nash plays like no one else. He seems to be an "open channel," so fluent is his improvisation. Nash's playing, like Allison's, is never what one would expect, but it always makes sense. Nash understands that the energy of creation is not always pretty, but uses dissonance and ambience masterfully. Ulrich is tastefully sparse on the cello. Jeff Ballard's dynamism and musical sensibility are perfect; he always serves the tune. If there is a weak link in this band, it is trumpeter Horton, who--while his playing is enjoyable--doesn't seem to be on the same page as the rest of the band. As hackneyed as the phrase has become, Ben Allison has something to say. And it is well worth listening to.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best jazz albums of the 1990s, December 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Third Eye (Audio CD)

This is a great album--the compositions are interesting and appealing, the playing is inspired. It is enjoyable listening even as it pulls no punches and goes "outside" from time to time. This is the type of album that takes the listener on a journey, which is what albums used to be like.