Mark Sim - Turbulent Flow (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

Deep Dark Tone

Mark Turner | United States | 05/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The title inplies nothing except the fact I've been looking for a new sax player with a tone between a bass clarinet and baritone sax. Shim is a serious young player. What's frightening is what's ahead for this brilliant player. All the musicians are all playing their hearts out on this outing. The time signatures and style is truly Shims own; among a sea of really good young sax players. Another one of my favs for 2000."

Superb work

David Watts | Houston, TX | 09/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Shim was 24 years old when this music was recorded. In that context it is truly amazing. The other cool thing here is that just the right band seems to have come together at just the right time. The title track on this CD is so subtle, with moments of real energy (particularly by Eric Harland on drums) but forever tied to the bottom by Edward Simon on keyboards. This title track sounds like it is recorded at the bottom of the ocean, with the keyboard anchoring it down while everyone stretches to the surface. Wonderful stuff.The rest of the CD is just as magical. Other than the odd "Eminence (for Betty Carter)" at the end it is a consistent flow of ideas from Shim and the rest of the players here. The last track kinda breaks away and is somewhat of a throwaway. Still, it doesn't ruin anything, and it really is nit-picking to be critical about it.I can't wait to see what Shim does from now on. This CD is a five star - without a doubt."

Mark Shim - Turbulent Flow

David Watts | 12/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Shim's got it goin' on. And for quite some time, despite his young age. He used to play with the late Betty Carter and also with the Mingus Big Band, and was a hot-shot already in his late teens.Now in his mid-twenties, Mr. Shim has released a record documenting his personal style and the tremendous sounds of this band of other hot young New Yorkers. Shim has been compared to a young Joe Henderson; he holds a deep, dark tone and plays with some of the same angularity in his lines. However, this is as far from a clone as you can get. Original voice - turbulent flow.The music is contemporary jazz at its finest. If you are at all interested in where jazz is going, this is one of the best records of 2000."

Faceless Music - YMMV

Karl W. Nehring | Ostrander, OH USA | 08/08/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Looking over the line-up of musicians assembled for this release (Mark Shim, tenor and soprano sax; Stefon Harris, vibes and marimba; Edward Simon, keyboards; Drew Gress, bass; and Eric Harland, drums), one would expect some tight playing, and tight playing is delivered by this quintet. The recording, by Joe Marciano, is also tight. Technically, then, this is a fine recording. Somehow, though, and this may be nothing more than my mere personal taste, the music never seem to rise to any noteworthy level of beauty or inspiration. Most of the cuts are by Shim, with one cut each by Joe Henderson ("Recorda Me") and drummer Eric Harland.

For me, this is essentially faceless music that after several listens I had no desire to hear again. For you, it might be the tightest jazz set you have heard in some time. It's certainly well played and well produced: those more objective judgments I can make with more confidence."

Easily Y2K's best album!

Karl W. Nehring | 10/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Shim proves to be quite a musical wizard with this disc.
The compositions have enough in common to make this an album of obvious unity, and still enough differences to make the entire album interesting. Mark Shim (tenor & soprano sax), Stefon Harris(vibes & marimba), Edward Simon (piano & rhodes), Drew Gress (bass) and Eric Harland (drums) are, for the lack of a better word, a perfect band.A word on band sound: A fat, dark tenor, vibes, piano/rhodes along with double bass and drums - whoah!! The rhodes tracks in particular are stunning. Effective use of sound/voicings compliments Shim's compositions beautifully. Shim's personal style, both in sound, conception and composition makes him stand out as one of the most extraordinary players of his generation."Turbulent Flow" describes the music, flowing, but always with an amount of turbulence, be it in the odd time signatures, the often unusual chord progressions or the soloists' energetic lines.Turbulent Flow has been my favorite album since I got it in April. If you like modern jazz, this is likely to strike your nerve as well.Can't wait to get my hands on Shim's next outing!"

Search - Mark Sim :: Turbulent Flow

CD Details

Synopsis

Similar CDs

Similarly Requested CDs

CD Reviews