Search - Warren Smith, Cowell, Jordan :: Cats Are Stealing My $hit!

A Different Drummer

A. Fichera | CHAPEL HILL, NC USA | 08/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"No one ever said Pierre Sprey's Mapleshade label ever did jazz the expected way, and this outing from percussionist par-supreme Warren Smith certainly reinforces that observation. If nothing else, the sound, the in-the-room-and-in-your-face (but NEVER edgy or brittle or nasty) sound of this recording will guarantee it a place of honor on your demo dics shelf--too bad most major labels (shoot, most so-called audiophile labels) can't get their CDs to sound this alive. Smith has an extraordinary imagination; the varied duets which comprise the album range from nearly-angry free jazz and rap to meditative and comic interludes (particularly the quasi-scatological title track). It's not exactly the most organized or classifiable kind of music, but it always seems to have a sense of purpose and structure which keeps it from degenerating into aimless noodling. Your best bet is to buy it, don't play it at parties and save it for those friends who have a sense of humor and free-range taste."

He is innovative and ahead of his time

A. Fichera | 02/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is amazing. I just keep it in my CD player all the time. I love the change of the styles on the different tunes. I have followed Warren Smith's (WIS) work for a long time and I am always amazed at the different sounds that I get from him. My favorite tune from this CD is Descent into Kangnung.... It makes me feel like I am in Korea with him.It is well worth the purchase!!!"