Nine Lives
is
a catty jazz extravaganza from Australian bassist Steve Hunter
and company. Hunter's arrangements are as cool as a feline
navigating the catwalk of progressive jazz tonality. Hunter's
ensemble is a classic mix of brass, guitar, bass, percussions,
and other various tactful instrumentation. The arrangements are
rooted in jazz classics as well, with tonality and instrumental
texturing strongly influenced by classic Miles Davis style
abstract jazz and later fusion artists. Many of the abstract-style
arrangements have a subduing looseness to them that provides a
ethereal backdrop that the exploratory lines float upon with
paradoxical precision. And this intangible, evasive precision of
feeling in the articulation of the abtract harmonies is the exact
quality that defines the artistic style that the ensemble deftly
crafts. The ensemble conveys their obvious grasp on this complex
form of abstract harmonization and tonality with profound impact
that leaves the listener with a crystalline perception of the
forces of timing, feel, and harmony that make the tenuous
arrangements work so well. The craft that the ensemble
demonstrates over these untrainable skills is distinctly
impressive.
The ensemble then loosens
up the format in the later tracks that evolve to a fusion format
that features the fretwork of Hunter on bass and Steve McKenna on
the guitar. There is an unending tradeoff between the various
instruments that provides a great variation to the sonic texture
and that keeps the music interesting. The group covers a lot of
territory in their arrangements that are demonstrative of their
impressive scope in jazz.
Fans of classic, abstract
jazz in a big ensemble format should check out this CD from Steve
Hunter. Hunter forges a digestible balance between 20th century,
abstract tonality, meters, and coherent compositional
arranagements with a fusion twist.
Trumpet |
Phil Slater |
Tenor Sax, Bass
Clarinet |
Paul Cutlan |
Soprano Sax, Flute |
Ken James |
Soprano Sax |
Dave Theak |
Piano, Rhodes Piano,
Melodica |
Matt McMahon |
Guitar |
Steve McKenna |
Tuba |
Carolyn Johns |
Trombone |
Lucian McGuiness |
Bass / Compositions |
Steve Hunter |
Drums &
Percussions |
Toby Hall, Fabian
Hevia |
1) Reason |
2) Habitat |
3) Lay Awake |
4) Truth Is |
5) Bianca Rosa |
6) So to Speak |
7) There You Are |
8) Blue Intro / Big
Louie |
9) Old Souls |
10) People on Foot |
~ Christopher
Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris Ruel's Monthly Spotlight
Steve Hunter has compiled
an impressive solo bass effort on Night
People. Hunter creates an amazing texture
with the combination of bass lines, chordal phrasings and
rhythms, and superimposed melody lines. This combination of
voicing and textures that he projects will leave listeners
questioning whether he has actually used bass for all of the
voices deployed. But, rest assured because despite the illusion
that there are three different instruments playing simultaneously
at times, Hunter has accomplished it all on the five string
bass.
Besides the technical
marvel of what Hunter has accomplished for solo bass guitar, he
has also put together some tasty arrangements that demonstrate
his skill in the craft of musical composition. The form is an
interesting combination of classically-influenced, 20th century,
and jazz styles. Hunter does not sit idle in stagnate modes,
simple harmonization, or repetitive motives, but instead puts a
great effort into the exploration of all of these facets of his
music. And, this is how he manages to keep an entire album of
solo bass interesting.
Fans of bass guitar and
solo bass will want to check out this CD from Steve Hunter. But,
don't go by my appraisal. This is the CD that Chick Corea called
"...a wonderful album of solo bass - very artful and
melodic."
1) Night People |
2) Sometime in
Iberia |
3) Aphro Moon |
4) Crystal Silence |
5) Conference of the
Birds |
6) Revenimus |
7) Hindsight |
Four Poems |
-8) Watersign |
-9) Pastoral |
-10) Armando |
-11) Mary |
12) Let's Look |
13) Dark Swan |
14) Matilda |
15) Ride the Camel |
16) Outline / Blue
Mountain |
~ Christopher
Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris Ruel's Monthly Spotlight

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