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
CARMEN LUNDY
Come Home
ALICIA MENNINGA
Renewal
WILL BERNARD
Party Hats
Soweto Kinch
A Life in the Day of B19: Tales of the Tower Block.
BILLY BANG QUINTET FEATURING FRANK LOWE
Above & Beyond: Live in Grand Rapids
The New Orleans Social Club
Sing Me Back Home
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