Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #305194 in Music
• Released on: 2004-11-16
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Fun, brash, smart.... what else do you want?
The Fresh Sound New Talent label is the stomping grounds of countless smart up'n'coming talents; some have yet to hit the big time, but pianist Ethan Iverson & bassist Reid Anderson, who recorded a slew of discs for the label, have since become prominent in the Bad Plus trio (whose first disc was for FSNT before Columbia picked them up). Anderson's _The Vastness of Space_ dates from 2000, & it holds up well. In many ways it foreshadows the Bad Plus project because the tunes are closer to smart rock or pop songs than to jazz compositions, & often the emphasis is on the tune rather than on solos (a few pieces involve almost no improvisation at all). That's not a criticism, I should add, just an observation. Andrew D'Angelo & Bill McHenry are tart-toned saxophonists--some readers will know D'Angelo as the unkempt Ornettey alto in Matt Wilson's group--who fit in nicely with the brash, tuneful, generally upbeat mood. The ubiquitous Ben Monder is a discreet presence--no effects, just straight guitar, but nicely done--& drummer Marlon Browden keeps the beats infectious & simple even when they're not straight 4/4 ("Reclusive" for instance is in 9). Some of the moodier things on the album like "Melismatic Clouds of Joy" go on a bit, but mostly this is captivating stuff: I'm particularly fond of "Prehensile Dream", "Reclusive" & the slow-blossoming closer, "Silence Is the Question". Check this one out.

Relaxed, introspective.
When I had this CD ordered after hearing Bad Plus for the first time, I didn't know what to think. The mix is kind of different. The bass is boomy and guitar kind of muddy. Much of this is intentional. Ben Monder has a very dark and dynamically subtle sound that fades from melody to general texturing with his volume pedal. Both saxophonists have great tone and are very complimentary when harmonizing. Prehensile Dream is my favorite. This same melody opens the newest Bad Plus album under a different title. I prefer the saxophone interplay near the climax where they blow hard but stay very close to the melody. They are not playing against each other. They're playing together and egging each other on. I could go on to describe the other tunes, but I won't. It's a good album that is best listened to at home in the dark. These compostions are very sophisticated but very accessible. It would have been nice to hear this group live. Anyway, Reid is a great guy.