Stimulating exciting jazz Randy Brecker & Mats Holmquist, f/UMO Jazz Orchestra – TOGETHER: Anyone who has listened to Randy’s fantastic trumpet and flugelhorn work before will thoroughly enjoy his stellar performances on this album, which features very solid arrangements by Mats, and the full UMO Jazz Orchestra… of course, as always, the best way to get a feel for that is to watch them as they perform “All My Things” live in Helsinki…
…sheer power, and totally full of the verve and vitality you would expect from anything that has Mr. Brecker associated with it.
If it’s ultra-high energy you’re seeking, you won’t find many jazz performances better than the 9:12 opener, “One Million Circumstances“… what this tune will do for you is – “keep you guessing”… there’s nothing “stereotypical” about Holmquist’s arrangements, and Randy’s solos just soar… one of my favorite jazz listens for 2018!
The group’s rendition of Chick Corea’s “Crystal Silence” is laid-back, yet full of the vibrant character that only great players can bring to a song… simply beautiful horn work from Randy on this piece.
Holmquist’s original composition, “Always Young“, was a perfect choice for closing the album… if any one tune could inspire an aspiring player to get deeper into jazz – this is it.
You get a full 1:15 listening experience, and if you’re (at all) like me, you’ll find my personal favorite of the nine (long) pieces offered up, “Humpty Dumpty” (another Corea tune) to be a “replay” candidate (over & over again).
I give Randy, Mats and the UMO folks a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.99 for this fine aural adventure. Get more information at the Summit Records page for the album. Rotcod Zzaj
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