Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply astounding, April 19, 2003
This is my first exposure to JMP, and I have to say I was absolutely blown away. Not right at first. It took about three times through before I could completely get on board with their admittedly bizarre musical esthetic, which, finally, became for me unique and beguiling, even mesmerizing. Part jazz, part jam band, part techno-trance, part power trio, JMP could most logically be put in a similar category to groups like The Bad Plus and EST. Just as Ethan Iverson's approach to jazz piano is anything but typical, Jamie Masefield's mandolin playing bears about as much resemblance to traditional mandolin playing as Bela Fleck's banjo playing bears to traditional banjo stylings. Not that JMP sound much if anything like Bela Fleck's band.What does it sound like? It's hard to say. Ari Hoenig brings a lot of diverse influences to his drumming besides straight jazz, including hip-hop, techno, and drum and bass sensibilities, thus giving the band a thoroughly modern sound. Danton Boller plays his acoustic bass in a decidedly untraditional way as well. But it all starts and ends with Masefield's mandolin and mandola. Leaning heavily on an amplified approach, he gets sounds from his instrument one would not think possible. I found myself several times checking the disc packaging to see who's the guest electric guitarist. Talk about extended technique! If there are no overdubs on this album it's even more astounding. Perhaps not for everyone, this band nevertheless has staked out its own unique musical territory. Word is that they're also killer live. Check 'em out.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rip-roaring rollercoaster thrill ride, April 16, 2003
Jungle Tango is unreal. Keep in mind that's Ari Hoenig on drums, not a drum machine. I was blown away. This album is full of mind-bending sounds and the coolest grooves ever. It's way different than "Tour de Flux," with the exception of a couple songs. If you're in doubt, don't be. Jungle Tango is a solid listen. After I listened to the album in it's entirety for the first time I wished so much that I could tell the band how truly amazing the listening experience I just had was. Jamie Masefield is an unbelievable musician. Buy this album. You won't regret it.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
simply dull, March 7, 2008
Since the other reviews of "Jungle Tango" are so glowing, I just have to jump in here. Appreciate this in the spirit of offering an alternative, less popular perspective. We do still believe in a marketplace of ideas, right? "Jungle Tango" is mediocre. The musical premise and content is interesting. The Jazz Mandolin Project combines elements of instrumental jazz, bluegrass and psychedelia in a jamband context. Given that the group even uses an accordion at one point, the project is indeed interesting, but interesting is not the same as compelling. The compositions and arrangements are weak. Considering the instrumental jamband approach, the improvisation needed to shine. It too falls short. The feel of the album is painfully sanitized and neutered. It lacks the improvisational merits of most jambands; it is missing the warmth of Americana and it does not have the intelligence of jazz. I read so much praise for mandolin player Jamie Masefield. At the end of the day, Masefield doesn't hold a match up to David Grisman's bonfire. All of that written, this is not a bad album, it's just mediocre. I so wanted to like this disc; that's why it so pains me to write these words. "Jungle Tango" has merits but ultimately lacks substance.
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