Search - Russell Gunn :: Ethnomusicology 1

Ethnomusicology 1
Russell Gunn
Ethnomusicology 1
Genres: Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

Crossover recordings run an extraordinary risk of failing, or at least flailing. Trumpeter Russell Gunn's avoids the former fate and, by and large, also escapes the latter. Consider this recording a sibling to his other ea...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Russell Gunn
Title: Ethnomusicology 1
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Original Release Date: 2/16/1999
Release Date: 2/16/1999
Genres: Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rock
Styles: Acid Jazz, Modern Postbebop, Bebop, Funk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 075678316524

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Crossover recordings run an extraordinary risk of failing, or at least flailing. Trumpeter Russell Gunn's avoids the former fate and, by and large, also escapes the latter. Consider this recording a sibling to his other early-1999 release, Love Requiem, which toes a straight-ahead acoustic jazz line while Ethnomusicology does something entirely different. Gunn's ensemble crosses the wires of hip-hop and postbop, coming up with a slinky funk feel in spots (witness the opening groove bit with the Parliament-style pinched vocal welcoming listeners to the CD) but keeping a strong neobop improvisational vibe heavy and pervasive. Gunn's band gets great mileage from DJ Apollo's turntables, especially on "Shiva" and the soul jazz-touched "Sybil's Blues," and pianist James Hurt plays fleet acoustic harmonies and uses the Fender Rhodes to its fullest ethereal potential. The horns are all at top capability, too, with trombonist Andre Heyward turning in splay-toned solos and saxophonists Gregory Tardy and Bruce Williams providing a nice one-two power beside Gunn's confident, sharp-minded brass. --Andrew Bartlett

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CD Reviews

Mad Hornplayer
Viajante | Nowhere, Michigan, USA | 03/10/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ethnomusicology is my first exposure to Gunn. To say the least, I am not dissappointed. I only give four stars, because I have never given five, except for MMW's "Notes from the Underground" as far as newer jazz is concerned. There is a great deal of variety on this album. Don't just spin track 1 and think "Well, so that's Gunn. Now what?" Highlights: Track 2 (very intense, don't listen in your car, unless you can afford the speeding ticket) Track 3 (bass intro can blind a small child at fifty paces), well, now that I think about it, everything else is spectacular as well. Track 1 can seem a bit trite, but it is an introduction. Besides, it doesn't serve to set the pace. There is no pace. Each track is a different planet in a ten planet solar system. If you like this one, might I recommend Nils Petter Molvaer's "Khmer" or anything by Medeski, Martin, & Wood (MMW)."
Amazing surprise!
nicole rochat | NYC | 06/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently went to see Charlie Hunter at the Knitting Factory in NYC, and Russell Gunn was the first act. Not knowing what to expect, I was completely blown away by Gunn and his 9 piece ensemble. A beautiful and wonderful mix of jazz, hip hop, funk and soul; but none of the cheesey Parliment sounding rip-offs. This is pure soul, creativity, talent and originality!"
Where others have failed....
Alf Kremer | 03/01/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gunn and company have managed to fuse modern R&B/hip-hop and traditional jazz in a way that groups like Buckshot LeFonque and Us3 did not. The music has a great feel to it, like these guys were actually having fun while they recorded it. Russell is one of the brightest young horn players today. I'm looking forward to Vol. 2."