Shine! (Sunnyside)
JD Allen
Released June 16, 2009
Top 10 NPR Jazz Critics Poll Albums 2009
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lvNAKVlVf2g_z7pNfZBlZ7ZuY8hJyrklw
Spotify:
About:
“The notion of jazz music being equal measures of construction and deconstruction of musical elements is well heeded. Development of a compatible group of musicians and the assembly of the harmonic and melodic elements to create a tune are both important examples of construction in jazz.
Deconstruction can be just as stimulating by subverting elements at will and allowing the musicians the freedom to express themselves without a script. Saxophonist JD Allen has done his best to bridge the gap between the two on his new recording Shine! He has done so by taking his crack trio, featuring bassist Gregg August and drummer Rudy Royston, through the paces on not only his well-constructed compositions but also through more open improvisatory passages. Allen’s penchant for melody comes through in his compositions and improvisations no matter how far off the beaten path. The trio navigates the music with aplomb and makes Shine! a fantastic addition to JD Allen’s growing discography.”
Track Listing:
1. Esre! (JD Allen) 2:31
2. Sonhouse (JD Allen) 4:08
3. Conjuration Of Angles (JD Allen) 3:42
4. Marco Polo (Butch Morris) 3:54
5. Shine! (JD Allen) 3:14
6. The Laughing Bell (JD Allen) 3:13
7. East Boogie (Kolby’s Theme) (JD Allen) 4:38
8. Ephraim (JD Allen) 4:29
9. Angel (JD Allen) 5:10
10. Teo (Ted’s Theme) (JD Allen) 5:12
11. Se’Lah (JD Allen) 4:02
12. Variation (JD Allen) 2:03
Personnel:
JD Allen: saxophone
Gregg August: acoustic bass
Rudy Royston: drums
Recorded and Mixed May 11, 2008 and November 11, 2008, by Dan Fleisher
Mixed by Dan Fleisher, Katsuhiko Naito
Mastered by Katsuhiko Naito
Illustration: Christopher Drukker
Produced by Richard Knight
Review:
Tenor saxophonist JD Allen has a concept, but little of the usual fuss accompanying the “conceptual.” He challenges his trio to make simple tunes come alive quickly; his compositions sound as if he’s plucked the choicest bits of classic period John Coltrane, then scrambled and reconstituted them as dense, two-to five-minute snack foods. Catchy, even hummable, Allen’s nuggets also feel harmonically open, and with that great liberty comes great responsibility for the rhythm section. Happily, Gregg August (bass) and Rudy Royston (drums) are a perfect match. Their hailstorms of sound (with hurricane eyes for the ballads) keenly envelop rather than drown out their leader’s saxophone tessellations. It makes for an addictive brew, as administered in potent, bite-sized doses.
Patrick Jarenwattananon (npr)
