Search - Michael Weiss :: Power Station

A superb and sublime quartet setting.

evan8160@aol.com | New York, NY | 08/23/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Weiss is yet another underrated and relatively unknown piano player in New York. This is a superb and sublime album, which is greatly enhanced by the virtuosity of Eric Alexander's powerful tenor. Weiss played for 10 years with Johnny Griffin and has mastered the art of mixing with a strong horn. To his credit, Weiss really lets Alexander dominate the album. Weiss's playing is linked to the great bop masters, like Bud Powell, and when he solos the piano sings. It is too bad that he has not put out an album in more than 10 years. This album is a must-have for the Summer and is well worth the extra dollars as an import. You will not be able to take it off your CD player."

Great tunes! great playing!

russm@aol.com | New York City | 04/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Weiss' second CD as a leader. Unfortunately we missed Weiss' development over the previous ten years, particularly as composer. The tunes on this CD are excellent and deserve to be recorded by other groups. I heard Weiss' sextet at Smalls last year and was greatly impressed by his compositions and arrangements. Those who have only heard him with Johnny Griffin will be surprised when they hear this CD. In his own group, Weiss' more contemporary influences show through and blend well with his bebop background. The quartet on Power Station is on fire. The material seems to inspire the players to really put out, and they play together like only a working band can. Weiss has six originals, including a tippin' blues (PW), a beautiful ballad - Soul Journey and a smokin' burner - Orient Express. It also includes unusual treatments of two standards, Some Other Spring and Alone Together. This is one of the best new releases I've heard and it should bring Weiss long overdue recognition."