Search - Bunky Green :: Another Place

Finally!

David M. Carey | Jersey City, NJ | 02/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those of us who are fans of jazz saxophonist and composer Bunky Green have been waiting a long time for a new recording to be released. About 15 years actually. (The last one being the landmark album "Healing the Pain" released on the Delos label.) We have saxophonist Steve Coleman (a past student of Bunky's) to thank for helping to get this one recorded and released. In addition to producing the record, Coleman was also instrumental in hooking Bunky up with the rhythm section.



After 15 years of built up anticipation one might worry the actual experience of listening to this album might disappoint. That it might not live up to expectations. Well, there's no need to worry here. This record lives up to and exceeds all expectations. The rhythm section, composed of Jason Moran on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Nasheet Waits on drums, does a great job of both supporting and pushing Bunky. Moran's solos in particular are quite captivating. He really does have a strong personal voice on the piano. But what really stands out, without surprise really, is the alto sax of Bunky Green. That this man isn't listened to and talked about more in the world of jazz is really a crime. His playing is so direct and honest that it almost catches you off guard. There's no ego or BS w/ Bunky. What you see (or in this case, hear) is what you get. (And having been lucky enough to study with him in college I can tell you that he's just as beautifully honest and unfiltered a person as he is a player.) It's quite obvious throughout this recording that Bunky's skill on the saxophone has only increased w/ age. From the point of view of sheer technique, his playing is really quite astounding. But Bunky never plays for the sake of showing off or impressing. All feats of technical prowess are there simply as a means of expressing something deeply personal. His technique frees him to go anywhere he (or the music) wants to. At times it's aggressive, other times subtle, but always very honest and personal. Nobody sounds like Bunky. Listening to this album you start wondering more and more why he isn't hailed as one of the more important voices in jazz today. Possibly it's because of the lack of recordings, or possibly he's just not considered "marketable" enough. Whatever the reason, let's hope that this new record is a sign of much more to come, and let's hope that it doesn't take another 15 years to get here!



In short, I highly recommend this album. I believe it's one of the more important cd's to come out in recent years and you should buy it! (Direct enough for ya? :D )



Dave

"

ENDLESS EMOTIONS !!!

Gaetano Vigliotti | Napoli, Italy | 06/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first time i hear Bunky Green's music and it's absolutely exceptional !!! He reminds me a past giant as Coltrane but in a modern or avant-guarde dimension... In this cd you can find great compositions and a well-balanced sense of improvisation with fantastic solos !!! I consider this cd very near the perfect album, no doubt, 5 stars."