Search - Matt Penman :: Catch of the Day

Matt Penman makes good!

Anthony R. Guarriello | Rutherfordton NC | 12/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here you have a record by one of the most in demand acoustic bassists in jazz Mr. Matt Penman. Penman currently plays in the excellent SF Jazz Collective a spot which he's held for several years now, you'll also find Penman on a wide range of jazz albums like Invisible Cinema by pianist Aaron Parks and also with most of the younger generation of rising jazz talent. Anyway onto the music. Catch of the Day features top shelf talent Aaron Parks-piano, Eric Harland-Drums & Seamus Blake on tenor sax. In my opinion this album would not have come off as well without the stellar contributions of these great players. The music is all written by Penman and I would have to describe it as a blend of modern jazz with classical chamber type overtones but don't be misled the chamber music influence is more in the crafting of the compositions in my opinion not so much the playing. The tunes are built from simple melodic motifs that the band grabs a hold of & makes their own. Aaron Parks uses more of a textural approach using lots of flowing lines & big block type chord voiceings. The melodies are handled by either Parks, Seamus Blake & even Penman states a few with a dark clear tone from the dave holland school. Overall this album has a more mellow sober mood with most of the pieces being a medium tempo. This album is most rewarding when some time is spent to really listen to the compositions & the interplay of the musicians. Drummer Eric Harland sounds excellent as he usually does, here his drumming points the way for jazz drumming in the 21st century, he's brought in grooves from all styles of modern music & makes them swing in the jazz tradition. My personal favorite tunes are Frosted a beautiful ballad, Astrolabe the lead off track & Haven. Overall you can't go wrong with "The Catch of The Day" check this one out & support our great american art form."