Great - Deserves Wide Attention
07/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"People have probably been trying to decide where jazz ought to go from the beginning. A major turning point came when bop pretty much took dance, and a vast part of its audience from jazz. Ken Burn's series showed a musician returning from the war, hearing bop and thinking it was the greatest thing he'd ever heard; and a dancer who thought it was the worst. Diz could never get more than a few of the boppers to dance to it. Of course you could get a few people to dance to the Dead, but it didn't prove much.A recent article in the NY Times described a new European jazz dance scene - rather techo, and reportedly dismissive of the "retro" American jazz scene. I haven't heard these CDs, and so, can't comment. I will say, though, that the blend of New Orleans, the Caribbean and modern jazz that these guys have devised is one of the best answers I can imagine to the "whither jazz?" question. The idea of combining Caribbean music and jazz is hardly novel, and the return to New Orleans-based players and styles may be retro, but this music sounds very new.Volume Two showed clearly where they were heading, and inspired great hope. Volume Three: Congo Square really fulfills their promise. This is great music, with excellent original compositions by Mayfield and Summers. It's in no way "light" jazz - treacle for the masses. "Serious" jazz fans will find lots to enjoy, but I really think this could be enjoyed by people who've never bought a CD featuring a trumpet.I hope this will get some serious critical attention. These guys deserve to be huge, and this is the CD to do it."
This CD is hot
EB | 04/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"listen to it loud, this is good stuff. irvin mayfield burns on the trumpet (just saw them live, where I bought this CD... I'm now buying it for friends), and the rhythm on the album is fantastic. a very worthy investment."
Music that is refreshing to the heart and soul!!!
EB | 04/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a buffet of mutilple talent! What you hear is what you get, a combination of flavorful sounds from different parts of the world. From the beautiful sound of Mr. Mayfield's trumpet to outcry of the incredible smooth sounds of the percussion, together with other multiple talents in this album they stimulate the heart and soul. This cd makes one dance, think, cry,laugh, and most of all it makes one feel great! Check this CD out for yourself! Enjoy! Ofa atu!"