Customer Reviews

Travail, Transformation, and Flow

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

 

 

I fully agree with the previous reviewer's assessment; moreover, this wonderful music merits additional reviews. Terms like "spectral music" and "microtonal harmonies" have been used to describe it. Apparently Steve Lehman applied quite a bit of physics (wave mechanics) in composing it--it's heady stuff. However, you certainly don't have to be a sonic engineer to dig it. Basically, the tones and/or overtones of various instruments are judiciously combined to produce complex harmonies. But that's really only part of the story. There's also sharp, concise, hugely appealing soloing here by Lehman (alto sax), Mark Shim !! (tenor sax), and Jonathon Finlayson (trumpet). A dynamite rhythm section of Chris Dingman (vibes), Drew Gress (bass), and Tyshawn Sorey (drums). Tim Albright (trombone) and Jose Davila (tuba) fill out the octet, and are especially vital in the harmonies. The compositions (and the album as a whole) are nicely constructed, with a modern, almost 3-dimensional feel. Most importantly, the music is viscerally pleasing and great fun. Everytime I listen to this CD, I hear something new and exciting. Folks, don't miss this one!

What a great mesh of classical minimalism ideas with improvisional jazz. This is the most exciting music I've heard in awhile. I just keep thinking about how hard this music must be to play. There are a lot of time changes, tight playing, and great improvisional areas all within one song. Really good stuff.

This is the type of CD that makes acolytes of those who hear it. I want to spread the news about it but the first three reviewers more or less covered most of the details.
So I just want to add a few thoughts to what they had to say. First, I agree with Rpihawk's observation about the mix of minimalism and creative improv. The first thing I thought on hearing Echoes for the first time was, "michael nyman". The opening phrase is repetitive, propulsive and has nice chiming effects from Dingman's vibes. For some reason, I had never thought of minimalism as a resource for creative improv. Once you hear it though, the question becomes why hasn't it happened before.
Another point I want to make is to praise Lehman as a arranger. His use of the resources that his seven superb band mates provide him is brilliant. Harmonies unusual to creative improv, the splitting of the octet into subgroups that play off each other, the way the octet supports whoever is soloing- Lehman works with it all.
Finally, Lehman himself. I have followed his career for a while. But I think that what he does here and on his new CD with Mahanthappa (see the title to the 2nd tune on this CD) evidences a leap forward. So I leave you with this thought- listen to this CD, listen to the new one with Mahanthappa (I promise a review soon) and see if you don't agree. Lehman is becoming a powerful and creative presence on the creative improv scene. His artistic future looms bright and we listeners just might be in for some serious fun.

Threatening to cave in to artsy intellectual-isms, harmonic brilliance triumphs in the end with a consistently cerebral mix of jarring jamming.

i can summarize in two phrases: "listenable braxton" and "2009's best"... if the inside/outside whispering is at its peak, than the result is both expressive and impressive! it's expressive and impressive like childbirths' cries, like fundamental transformations and infinite flows...

after listening him in several projects (ravi coltrane band, claudia quintet, fred hersch trio and john surman's brewster rooster) now i can conclude that existence of drew gress on bass is a guarantee of good album! also check him on his two cd's: 7 black butterflies and the irrational number.

as for steve lehman's album, the effects of "m base collective" and anthony braxton bands are distinct but he develops his own style, both expressive and impressive (and as you see, also repetetive!)

you can also listen old recordings in lehman's official web site. (including the band with vijey iyer - fieldwork)

don't miss this album. it's 2009's best...