Album Review: And Then It Rained from Michael O'Neill
Album: And Then It Rained Artist: Michael O'Neill Label: Jazzmo Records Websites: Mosax.com facebook.com/michael.oneill.505960 A collection of all original compositions by bandleader, reed player and saxophonist Michael O'Neill, And Then It Rained blends big band swing, straight-ahead jazz, and tuneful improvisation into a tight union. Produced by O’Neill and co-produced by his bass player Dan Feiszli, the recording displays O'Neill's intrinsic understanding of earthy tones and warm atmospherics. His repertoire canvasses multiple facets of cool jazz idioms from the frenzied squiggles of "One For Kenny Washington" to the balmy bliss of "Early Spring." An easy listening program on first take, the tracks slowly seep deeper into its audience, revealing intricacies and maze-like chord patterns that demand more than a surface glance. The expressive voicing in O'Neill's saxophone curls and...