Search - Either/Orchestra :: Across the Omniverse

A good introduction to a great group

Anthony Reed | Ithaca, NY | 05/08/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Note--That star rating should technically be 4.5 stars, but that is not possible.The Either/Orchestra, whose named is derived from a book by noted Existentialist author Soren Kierkegaard is (usually) a ten-piece big band with such disparate influences as Duke Ellington, Mingus, and Alban Berg. They walk that tight rope of "inside" and "outside" and navigate their intricate tracks with a good deal of humor and verve. For an example of this, listen only to Caravan where the bridge is totally annihilated, transformed into something new and unexpected.This particular CD culls together outtakes from all but their most recent album, _More Beautiful than Death_, and therefore might serve as the best introduction to this long-performing group. Like, say, the Vandermark 5, their music often sounds theatric and you'll swear listening to them that they must have more than 10 musicians or that there is some overdubbing involved in getting that full sound. Having seen them live once (they were awesome in the native sense--awe-inspiring), I can assure you that the sound is a product of creative arranging that exploits the various ranges of the instrumentation and raw energetic playing.If you favor soft jazz or smooth jazz, something that you can play in the background and relax to, this is not the album or group for you. If you think jazz ends at bebop and that everything postbop is just so much noise, this is not the album for you. If you favor music that is wrought with surprise, that satisfies both the intellect and that might make you simply smile with pure delight, I heartily encourage you to buy this album without hesitation."

Powerful

Antonio Palacios | Perú | 05/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was listening to a radio jazz stationa few months ago when I hear the Either Orchestra. It was a live performance, and the music was something special. I could sense that every player got his place in the band, they were performing in a relaxed modd and having a lot of fun. Inmediatly I wrote down the name of the band and searched in Amazon for an album. That0s the story of how I reached this wonderful band and this fantastic disc.



At the first listening I ended a little confused, it was too much information to process. But I know that a big band should be hear carefully so I tried again. I recommend to use a good headphones to listen this album. The experience was different. I could hear subtle details, delicious arrangements, solid comping and outstanding solo performances. Every song has it's unique personality and mood. So, when it's posible, I put pair of headphones to enjoy this album.



"Across the Omnniverse" is a great oportunity to hear very talented musicians playing with heart and soul in one of the best bands I've heard in the last times. "The door" and "Big b..." are masterpieces that should be heard."