A Masterpiece from a Leading Jazz Innovator
Thomas M. Croft | Fort Collins, CO USA | 06/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wynton Marsalis and others have asked where the Charlie Parkers, Miles Davises, etc., are today to move jazz forward instead of keeping it frozen in time with the same old standards and styles. I think at least one answer to that question is "Greg Osby." In my opinion as a long-time jazz lover and amateur jazz pianist, Greg Osby is one of the most innovative jazz musicians to come along in many years.On "Inner Circle," Osby has recorded fresh, exciting jazz that sounds like no one else I know, and the album bears many, many enjoyable listenings. This is, for the most part, complex, sometimes quirky, modern jazz that takes post bop a step further, yet it remains quite accessible to jazz listeners whose tastes tend a bit more toward the adventurous.All of the tunes are originals except a gorgeous cover of Charles Mingus' "Self Portrait in Three Colors." The variety of moods and tempos is pleasantly broad, and the instrumentation fits the tunes beautifully. The contributions of vibraphonist Stefon Harris are particularly strong, I think. Osby, as always, sounds fabulous--in the pocket, creative, virtuosic.If you are new to Greg Osby's music, this is a great place to start. I also highly recommend "Art Forum" and "St. Louis Shoes.""
A mesmerizing session
Rob Watkins | Augusta, Georgia United States | 11/04/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"greg osby remains one of the best voices of the generation of players that emerged in the 1980s. he is a relentless soloist who continually pushes the boundaries of jazz without compromising the essential swing and blues of jazz. this set ranges from free to chamber jazz to bop, and does so without resorting to twenty minute workouts. the tunes are concise and fully developed allowing each new idea to get a full listen without losing the listener in improvised morass. it is "new" music--"the inner circle principle" is actually a linked series of unaccompanied solos, the opening "entruptions" is actually a set of fits and starts that is completely engaging sounding kind of like bill evans taking two second breaks while playing piano. the tunes stand alone, but taken as a set, one is given a glimpse of where jazz can go--improvised beauty that swings and dances no matter what the form. this is great work! i just wish mr. osby hadn't waited three years to release it!"
This is the s___.
B.A.H. | Oslo, Norway | 08/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Greg Osby, one American saxophone player. Prefers the alto, plays with vigour and fluency in a nuanced language best described as modern jazz. Typical label: Dry, mathematical musician. I beg to differ. Osby is probably as passionate about music as anyone.
Greg Osby is definitely a serious musical thinker with lots of fresh ideas and ways to articulate life in 2002 through the medium of acoustic music. His band members, known to serious jazz fans, relatively unkown, perhaps, to others, are just as uncompromising as the leader, and they too have somewhat original concepts of jazz in their pockets. Excellent musicians, of course. But that is never the point. This is something as rare as an original band sound.
As you can read elsewhere, this music is easy to describe as quirky, rapidly changing. Listen closely. It's all connected somehow. And it really says something about the moment we call now. The vast availability of information. Diversity. Everyone's struggling for identity. Osby seems to have it. An original voice. Be inspired. Let the music move you.
That's it. This is the s___."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
