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Life Forum

Gerald Clayton Format: Audio CD

23 ratings

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Editorial Reviews

Brilliant young pianist and composer Gerald Clayton makes his Concord Records debut with a recording that takes on a collection of Clayton's favorite musicians in one group, each having a strong, unique voice and vision. The album titled Life Forum presents music that sets the stage for this gathering and the artistry of the musicians becomes the discussion that takes place. The open-mindedness of the music is a metaphor to the freedom of thought that one should bring to life's forum.

Product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.83 x 0.4 x 4.89 inches; 3.4 Ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Concord Jazz
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 10473645
Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2013
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ February 7, 2013
Label ‏ : ‎ Concord Jazz
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BCMT2MW
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Best Sellers Rank: #185,700 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #21,246 in Jazz (CDs & Vinyl)
- #125,377 in Pop (CDs & Vinyl)

Customer Reviews:
23 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		56%
4 star		27%
3 star		10%
2 star		6%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Joe Robinson

Sublime: The Present and Future of Jazz

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2018

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I have three Gerald Clayton albums, Bond, Life Forum, and Tributary Tales, and they are as good as it gets, each one different but united in imagination, lyricism, great feel, and beautiful compositions. I have to say these three albums are as good as any three by anyone, right there with Wayne Shorter's early Blue Note stuff or the best albums of Steely Dan or Pat Metheny, all of whom I love. Life Forum, in particular, is a masterpiece. It just flows from one amazing song to the next. There is a slight hint of Robert Glasper, but only a hint, since Clayton is an original and seems to have a much wider palette than Glasper, who is great (I have all his stuff). Clayton uses vocals on a couple tracks in a unique way that cross jazz and pop and bend to the curves of the chords. I usually hate vocals or anything spoken on jazz songs, with some exceptions, like Esperanza Spalding. On Life Forum, the use of wordless and non-rhyming poetic words are reminiscent of Robert Wyatt, Hatfield and the North and obscure Brit bands who blended jazz and progressive pop. It works so well I had a buddy send me an email to let me know he had to stop everything and play "When an Angel Sheds a Feather" five times in a row, it was so stunning. And I agree. Is this a way for jazz to move into a larger market? Could be. The rest of the album is a journey that takes you from muscular fusionist playing to quiet elegance and various mysterious and sublime shores. When Bruce Springsteen debuted, he did so with a promo line from a critic who said, "I have seen the future of rock 'n' roll." Well, I have seen the present and future of jazz, popular music or whatever you want to call artistry that lifts you from this sometimes lightless world: Gerald Clayton.

2 people found this helpful

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nouveauflux

... eclecticism of Gerald's compositional style groans with the complexity of intrepid harmonies and stimulating melodies

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013

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Pianist/composer Gerald Clayton returns as a prominent player in a crowded smorgasbord of impassioned musicians with his latest project "Life Forum." With this offering, he continues to assure listener's he's truly a forerunner of innovation and permanent fixture in today's jazz. The eclecticism of Gerald's compositional style groans with the complexity of intrepid harmonies, compassion and stimulating melodies are evenly augmented through the remnants of thirteen transformative pieces on "Life Forum."

The album opens with "A Life Forum," this piece resonates with a futuristic baritone voice shaped by spoken word artist Carl Hancock Rux. In reality, traditionalist probably won't feel this vibe. With that said, this outing is comprised of unorthodox melodies and rhythms cased in the model jazz artists dare engage themselves in. Moreover, that's why I embrace Clayton's style as he constantly challenges the playing field to reveal an unexpected yet relevant body of work that grows on you more and more with each listen. Case in point, "Future Reflection" takes you into a new dimension from the opener to elevate you further with its transparent shapes, colors and abstract layers are echoed by the following "Shadamanthem , Sir Third and Deep Dry Ocean" is a mere snapshot of this wonderful canvas of music.

As I listen his intuitive, luminous and fragmented exchanges are illuminated by his usual suspects featured on "Life Forum" this gives me even more reason to return for more spins. Not by happenstance, Gerald is not totally removed from his family lineage of straight ahead jazz (Under Madhatter Medicinal Groupon (Ummg). At any rate, his voicings are submerged in the perspective of composing, playing and recording lyrically adventurous music. Frankly, that's what I love so much about his acquisitive and artistic voice.

Notably the ensemble's perplexed phrasings are broadcast endlessly by their resilient symmetry surpasses the ordinary to expose the multiplicity, elements and surreal moments achieved throughout this never ending journey is well worth exploring. If you're audacious in spirit (musically), please don't hesitate to add "Life Forum" to your collection today.

2 people found this helpful

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Edward J.McDonald

Gerald advances

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2013

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After hearing the trio CDs . This expanded concept gives evidence to the existence of burgeoning cartel of young musicians( akimuise,dayna Stephen ,Logan Richardson,Parleto),are taking future bop around the corner ,so to speak. This will remind you of when Hancock and Hubbard were in the hunt,and you couldnt wait to put your earphones on. And just different enough to let you know,you're on to something new.

3 people found this helpful

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Marc Harshman

jazz - small ensemble

Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2020

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Heard Gerald Clayton at the Jazz Standard. Great show - instinctively knew I'd love any recording of his, and I do. Highly recommended. [One caveat -- the first track with voice might not suit everyone.]

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fred

Clayton is good and getting great!

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2014

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Enjoyed earlier release which is more driving than Life Forum, where the format is different. Here there are additions to the straight piano led rhythm section including voices. I continue to find Clayton and his trio energetic. They seem to be making great music that is full of energy and exploring new ideas.

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M. Wilson

Its OK to like Jazz

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2013

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Clayton and his colleagues, especially the great Gretchen Parlato deliver a wonderful album. People keep saying Jazz is dead. These new artists like Clayton, Robert Glasper, Parlato, Esperanza Spalding, Tia Fuller...etc keep winning the younger audience over. Next time someone tells you Jazz is dead,....either ignore em' or punch em'!

One person found this helpful

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J. A. Johansson

Progressive

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2013

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Gerald Clayton's piano style is brilliant and accomplished, yet progressive without being too innovative so that you can't follow him.
I'm looking forward to hearing lots more from this brilliant pianist.

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Juan Yianatos

Simply great.

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2015

Verified Purchase

Excellent piano jazz, notable musicianship.

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Ian Thumwood

Piano hero's middle of the road offering

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2013

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Having caught Gerald Clayton's trio with guest Logan Richardson at this year's Vienne jazz festival I was anxious to grab this CD especially as it also features trumpet "man of the moment" Ambrose Akinmusire in the line up and the brilliant Gretchen Parlato. The gig was one of this year's highlights and reaffirmed my perception that Gerald Clayton is a breath of fresh air as far as jazz piano is concerned. I'm a big fan. However, this record transpires to be something wholly different and anyone expecting a more outside offering with a number of exciting horn players need might be disappointed. In many respects, this effort is very similar to an album like Carla Bley's "Night glo" from the early 80's where some impressive writing was masked by a kind of easy listening / middle of the road approach to jazz.

Like Carla Bley's album, there are some great moments and plenty of evidence that Clayton is not only a refined and lyric pianist of note but also a composer of some ability. Certainly, this offering demonstrates that he has a great ear for a strong melody. There are moments where the music does bristle - the piano / trumpet unison passages on "Some always" is terrific and the piano playing is as wonderful as you would expect from Clayton. The caveat is that the horn players get very little solo space or opportunity to stretch out and are only used on a proportion of tracks to showcase the piano in an arrangement. The opening track with the poem is pretty risable and the tracks where Clayton is unwise enough to sing make you wish that he had brought someone else in to the studio to do the songs justice. It is almost as is Clayton wants to re-shape his contemporary jazz approach in to a pop record.

I don't think this is a bad record and it is certainly a recording that might attract listeners from outside jazz. Fans of piano jazz will obviously appreciate Clayton's great playing but anyone who has heard Gerald Clayton perform live and seen what he can do might be disappointed by this effort which seems to be more about snazzy production values than matching some of the more creative music that Akinmusire and his ilk have produced under the guidance of more "outside" leaders like michel Portal or David Binney. "Life Forum" is a nice album yet but for the great piano playing and impressive writing and strong melodies, you might be temnpted to write it off completely. It is just a bit too polite for my palette. Whilst the result is a million miles away from "Smooth jazz", this is a record which is touched by Concord's more commercial approach and perhaps not really representative of how the artists performs live. All in all, this record is good at what it does but not as good as it should be.

One person found this helpful

Manuel Grosso Galvan

UNA OBRA MAYOR

Reviewed in Spain on April 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

Gerald Clayton en este su tercer disco en solitario ha conseguido una obra de mayor calado que sus dos anteriores CD en trío. Aquí cuenta con un grupo de excelentes músicos con los que habia colaborado en grabaciones anteriores. A destacar en fantástico trompetista Ambrose Akinmusire entre un total de ocho. Todos son temas suyos y son de una belleza y complejidad evidentes. Puede ser unos de los discos de jazz del año. Clayton ha pasado a primera division, pianista excepcional que aquí demuestra una envidiable madurez. Disco que marcara un antes y un después en su carrera. Muy recomendable y la confirmación de una carrera llena de buenos discos.

One person found this helpful

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chappy

ちょっと残念かも

Reviewed in Japan on May 25, 2013

Verified Purchase

Two-Shadeのデキがあまりにも良かったので購入しましたが、少々残念なデキかなあ。
サイドメンも素晴らしいのですが、どうも楽曲が今イチで散漫な感じがします。
ただ相変わらずテクニック、音色、ノリともに素晴らしいです。

One person found this helpful

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