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Among the hippest jazz on the planet

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 01/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That it exists at all is practically a miracle. That it is the product of three recent New England Conservatory grads--Jered Sims (tenor, alto, and soprano sax), Eric Hofbauer (guitar), and Tyson Rogers (piano), playing with established stars Cecil McBee (bass) and Matt Wilson (drums)--makes it all the more remarkable. Perhaps most impressive is that all the compositions are their own.



Probably my favorite cut is "Until We Have Names," with its very Ben Allison-ish vibe: smart, sophisticated, catchy, mysterious. "Abdullah," magically conjuring at once the great South African pianist and Ornette Coleman (how do they do that?!) also seriously impresses, offhandedly demonstrating the rather astounding amount of sonic territory these boys can effectively annex and cavort in. A rather militaristic sounding tango ("The Old Country"), featuring some stilettolike soprano sax, and "Bench Carvin'," an angular Monkish tune, further demonstrate the lads' mastery of the idiom. "Molecular Mischief," with its whacked-out guitar voicings, plinkety-plink piano, twinkly-tough percussion, and plaintive sax wails showcases a very attractive (post)modernist side. "Monkey," all jittery and skittish, evokes playful simian behavior with a faintly nasty undercurrent--just like what you'd likely see at your neighborhood zoo. And the closer, "Dead Mouse Blues," a moody, noirish tune you might find on a Michael Blake CD, features some way dusky guitar comping (and later soloing) underneath a brilliant Rogers solo and a delicious tenor statement from Sims.



Wild/accessible jazz music of great maturity and huge accomplishment, this disc represents a collective statement of great authority, endless variety, and superb listenability. Absolute highest recommendation."