Search - Steve Grossman :: Some Shapes to Come

Why isn't Steve Grossman on a major label?

T. Whalen | 03/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having witnessed this incredible musician many times in person I still find it incredible that he is not on a label like Blue Note instead of some the the mediocre players that are. But then they did that to Coltrane too. As a saxophone player, I am always amazed at Grossman's ideas and raw "balls-to-the-wall" sound. Having first heard this record 25 or so years ago it is still fresh. I recently purchased his cd "Live in Amsterdam" with the group Stone Alliance (also with Gene Perla and Don Alias)SMOKING!!! Unfortunately, he now lives in Italy and I may not ever get to hear him play live again, but at least he deserves to record with some good players and have his records kept in print!!! This cd lets you hear Grossman before he gets into his "Sonny" bag and still has his heavy 'Trane influence. Being that this was recorded only a few years after his Miles stint, the tunes are not going to be "Tin-pan Alley". The tunes are modally-oriented and let Grossman shine at his concept of playing "Giant-Steps-at-any-time-in-any-key"ideas. If you like to hear somebody that can really play their instrument. BUY THIS!!!"

Serious Shapes From Steve Grossman

Ev Marcus | Wallington, SURREY Great Britain | 02/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Music to me falls into two main catagories. Music for the masses and music for musicians. This CD (originally on LP) contains music which is without any shadow of a doubt music for musicians. This is not to say a non musician would not appreciate it, its just that the music has been produced for one reason and one reason only:- for the sake of music-the best reason of all to produce music.The musicians on this CD have an amaizing chemestry between them. They seem to be able to read each others mind, taking the solo sections into strange and wonderful places (track 6 is a great example of this). A lot of the playing sounds very free, but it never sounds like it's going nowhere. The improvisations always have purpose, direction, and incredible intensity.Grossman is nothing short of being amaizing on this CD. Forget the barrage of mediocre saxophone players to emmerge out of media hype one month only to be forgotten the next. Grossman is part of the very few elite saxophone players that have something to say in a way that has never been said before. His playing reminds me of a musician whos concept of improvisation crosses that uncertain grayness between sanity and insanity, whilst never loosing musicality. No wonder Grossman is one of Mike Breckers favourite saxophone players.But this CD is not just about Grossman. Hammer, Perla, Alias and Grossman work as a band should: together, in order to produce music which is greater than the sum of its parts.If you get an oportunity to listen to this CD, don't do it whilst driving the car, or whilst cooking the Sunday roast. Take yourself into a darkened room, take the phone of the hook, and let Some Shapes into your mind."

Great Stuff

Michael Kydonieus | San Francisco, CA United States | 07/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On paper, this CD should be nothing short of phenomenal. Steve Grossman and Gene Perla had recently toured with the Elvin Jones tour that produced the astonishing and essential Live at the Lighthouse sessions. Jan Hammer had recently played with the Mahavishnu orchestra and Don Alias-well, he's Don Alias. All incredible musicians, all at the height of their considerable powers. So why doesn't this CD blow me away? Well, for one thing, the songs are a little disappointing. They are little more than a clothesline for the musicians to hang their improvisations on. But boy, can they wail. As noted by another reviewer, this is a CD primarily for musicians. And it's great that we finally have this blowing session on CD, but I wish the group had worked a little harder on the songs. By the way, an expanded version of this group made several recordings as the Stone Alliance for PM records. Maybe some day the record company execs will pull their collective heads out of their [rears] long enough to release these recordings on CD. Enough grousing. If you are a fan of these musicians or hardcore fusion in general, pick up this CD. You'll be happy you did. If you would like to read more reviews like this, check out JazzboNotes.com.

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