2014-02-16
For his fifth release, FlashMob, saxophonist Anton Schwartz has assembled a skilled team of musicians. Together, they have put together an album of contemporary jazz that occasionally delves into the bop arena (Cumulonimbus, Epistrophy, The Contender, and the opening track). The album starts strong with the title track. Second song, "Swamp Thang" takes it to New Orleans with its crafty snare work from drummer, Lorca Hart. Hart also shows off his chops with the trap set on "Cumulonimbus". The band wins me over, however, with its arrangement of my favorite Monk tune, "Epistrophy", one of the two covers on the album. All in all, FlashMob" is a nice addition to today's jazz library. Rebecca Ruth
ALON NECHUSHTAN
Words Beyond
JAMES BOOKER
CLASSIFIED REMIXED AND EXPANDED
Various Artists
Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars
EST
Tuesday Wonderland
THE GODFATHERS OF GROOVE FEATURING REUBEN WILSON, BERNARD “PRETTY” PURDIE, AND GRANT GREEN JR.
The Godfathers of Groove
ERIN BODE
The Little Garden
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