Album Review: Mood Walk from Fred Randolph
Album: Mood Walk
Artist: Fred Randolph
Label: Creative Spirit Records
Website: https://fredrandolph.com
Moon Walk, the fourth CD from bassist-composer Fred Randolph as a leader applies Big Band swing panache with bebop flare. Inspired by the likes of Clifford Brown, Chick Corea, and John Coltrane, Randolph's team of players perform what one expects from a jazz outing with tunes that shuffle and waltz, engage in quick steps and stargazing, the recording touches numerous precepts of the jazz repertoire.
The honeyed wisps of Sheldon Brown's flute infuse "Strange Game" with a cushiony texture as Brian Rice's percussive chimes shower glittering sprinkles across the track. The ethereal feel of the composition acts like a balmy salve on the aural senses, evoking a stargazing ambience. The CD changes course on the title track, blowing out with vibrant Big Band hued shrapnel as the wailing toots of the horns give the composition depth and add a bubbling personality to the mix. The track is a prime example of the band's skillset to swing boldly, inputting their personalities into the music.
The recording cools down to a warm simmer along "Knowing," as the pleasing phrasing of Brown's saxophone is layered by intervals of frilly licks from Erik Jekabson's trumpet and tingling studs beaming from Dan Zemelman's piano keys. The suave swivels of the horns traipsing across "Mr. Now" display a Henry Mancini style vigor as the genuflecting notes of Randolph's bass splay a series of bowing and retracting motions. The snug fit of the melodic patterns make for a sprightly arrangement. Fast forward to the stargazing atmosphere of "Meadows," the flute lays out a smooth Latin waltz emblematic of the works of Brazilian composer Guinga. The soft contours of the track make for an ambient experience.
Applying elements of Big Band, Latin swing, and bebop, Randolph's team of players achieve making music for easy listening formats. The recording merges numerous precepts of the jazz repertoire, fanning the flames of modern Big Band aesthetics.
Musicians:
Fred Randolph - basses
Erik Jekabson - trumpet and flugelhorn
Sheldon Brown - tenor saxophone and flute
Greg Wyser-Pratte - drums
Dan Zemelman - piano
Greg Sankovich - keyboards and organ
Silvestre Martinez - percussion
Brian Rice -percussion
Dillon Vado - vibraphones
Artist: Fred Randolph
Label: Creative Spirit Records
Website: https://fredrandolph.com
Moon Walk, the fourth CD from bassist-composer Fred Randolph as a leader applies Big Band swing panache with bebop flare. Inspired by the likes of Clifford Brown, Chick Corea, and John Coltrane, Randolph's team of players perform what one expects from a jazz outing with tunes that shuffle and waltz, engage in quick steps and stargazing, the recording touches numerous precepts of the jazz repertoire.
The recording cools down to a warm simmer along "Knowing," as the pleasing phrasing of Brown's saxophone is layered by intervals of frilly licks from Erik Jekabson's trumpet and tingling studs beaming from Dan Zemelman's piano keys. The suave swivels of the horns traipsing across "Mr. Now" display a Henry Mancini style vigor as the genuflecting notes of Randolph's bass splay a series of bowing and retracting motions. The snug fit of the melodic patterns make for a sprightly arrangement. Fast forward to the stargazing atmosphere of "Meadows," the flute lays out a smooth Latin waltz emblematic of the works of Brazilian composer Guinga. The soft contours of the track make for an ambient experience.
Applying elements of Big Band, Latin swing, and bebop, Randolph's team of players achieve making music for easy listening formats. The recording merges numerous precepts of the jazz repertoire, fanning the flames of modern Big Band aesthetics.
Musicians:
Fred Randolph - basses
Erik Jekabson - trumpet and flugelhorn
Sheldon Brown - tenor saxophone and flute
Greg Wyser-Pratte - drums
Dan Zemelman - piano
Greg Sankovich - keyboards and organ
Silvestre Martinez - percussion
Brian Rice -percussion
Dillon Vado - vibraphones
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