Ray Levier w/John Abercrombie, David Binney, Mike Stern: Ray's Way

Straightahead / Contemporary Jazz
premiera polska: 2015-07-29
kontynent: Ameryka Północna
kraj: USA
opakowanie: Jewelcaseowe etui
opis:
Editor's info:
New York drummer Ray LeVier brings together some of the world's most creative jazz voices for his debut recording as a leader. With guitarists Mike Stern and John Abercrombie, saxophonist Dave Binney, vibist Joe Locke, and Francois Moutin on bass, among others, LeVier has produced a stirring and cohesive album of original music. From the hard-hitting grooves on several of Mike Stern's contributions to the flowing and fresh reading of John Abercrombie's classic "Ralph's Piano Waltz," Ray's Way stands as an inspired introduction to a gifted composer, drummer and producer. Besides his freelance work, LeVier has recorded and toured for over ten years with the eclectic and powerful singer/songwriter KJ Denhert.

Ray is amazing! He's put together a wonderful CD that feels great fueled by his fantastic playing, inspired musicianship with a fine array of cats! ENJOY IT!
ADAM NUSSBAUM

JazzTimes
Lots of young musicians go out and get some established people to play on their debut recordings as leaders. Ray LeVier got strong ones: Joe Locke on vibes, either John Abercrombie or Mike Stern on guitar, Dave Binney on alto saxophone and Francois Moutin on bass. But very few debut albums create such tight, committed, synergistic ensembles. This band should go on tour. The only question would be which guitarist to bring. Abercrombie, who extends the implications of tracks like LeVier's "Manahatta" and his own "Ralph's Piano Waltz" with solos like starry nights? Or Stern, whose potential to incite the masses on wailing tracks like "You Never Know" might be this band's best chance to play the Obama Inaugural in 2013?
LeVier has spent 10 years in the band of singer-songwriter KJ Denhert, where he is called upon to lay down hard grooves for her "urban folk/jazz." Here he hints at some of that nasty funk on his resume, even as he creates diverse, sophisticated, subtle forms of energy. On Moutin's "Echoing," Lock's vibes and Abercrombie's guitar intertwine ideas as they float on the updrafts created by Moutin's bass and LeVier's brushes.
This band works because it benefits from the contrasting personalities of its members. Binney's edginess, Abercrombie's spaciousness, Stern's earthiness, Locke's capacity to enrich and define an ensemble texture--all are reconciled here into a complex, distinctive, appealing group sound. The best example of how well they can all serve a single concept is LeVier's "Song for Nury." It is an avowal of devotion carried mostly by Binney's fervent, piercing cries, but also taken up and elaborated and deepened by Locke and Abercrombie in turn.
by Thomas Conrad

muzycy:
Dave Binney - Saxophone (1,3,4,6)
Federico Turreni - Soprano Sax (8)
John Abercrombie - Guitar (1,2,4,7,8)
Mike Stern - Guitar (3,5,6,9)
Joe Locke - Vibes (1,2,4,7,8)
Francois Moutin - Bass (1,2,3,4,6,7,8)
Ned Mann - Bass (5,9)
Ray Levier - Drums

utwory:
1. Ray's Way 5:35
2. Manahatta 4:05
3. You Never Know 9:25
4. Song for Nury 5:51
5. Blues in the Closet 8:05
6. Bait Tone Blues 8:24
7. Ralph's Piano Waltz 7:24
8. Echoing 5:47
9. Wing and a Prayer 7:27

wydano: 2009
nagrano: Recorded at KNOOP Studios, River Edge, NJ, 9/25/07

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