A huge advance over his 1999 disc, Invisible Cities
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 03/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With his third recording as leader, guitarist Andre Bush has fully come into his own. Everything here just works better--the tunes, Bush's playing, the band interaction, the soundscape, even the production. Having on board the great Art Lande, a criminally underregarded pianist, as well as winds player Bruce Williamson, another fine though relatively unknown musician, certainly helps. Mix in longtime playing partners Peter Barshay (bass) and Alan Hall (drums), also musicians of the first rank, and you have a band truly to be reckoned with.
Bush himself has developed into a guitarist of uncommon style and grace and quite amazing range. His métier is a kind of delicate and very nuanced single-note picking style, recalling, perhaps, John Abercrombie and early Pat Metheny, but executed in such a way as to make it completely his own. He can also power up the fuzz tone ("Start from Silence," with a solo worthy of Dave "Fuze" Fiuczynski), get a very pleasing Leslie effect ("An Even Three"), and rock out with the best of them ("Hand in the Cookie Jar" and, again, "An Even Three").
The overall soundscape sounds rather like Oregon on steroids--delicacy with muscle. Another analog might be two very fine (and rather neglected) late mid-nineties Billy Hart-led sessions, Amethyst and Oceans of Time. Throw in a way-hip world-jazz vibe, odd but accessible time signatures, simply gorgeous melodies, and telepathic band interaction and you've got one of the finest releases of 2005. Really, it's hard to adequately capture in words the stupendous accomplishment this disc represents, but it hasn't left my CD player since my recent acquisition or it. Do give it a chance."
Inovative and refreshing
Bill Henderson | 04/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Andre Bush's Start From Silence Breeds a remarkable amount of satisfaction to the listener. His approach to harmony is innovative yet contains a coherent lobotomy of every major jazz style. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Andre Bush's guitar styling. This is one of the greatest works of jazz guitar pedagogy I've heard in a while. The new album contains a three part solo cut of Bush's self titled start from silence. Other than that Andre is accompanied by his five piece band. Consisting of Alan Hall on drums, Andre Bush on Guitars, Art Lande on piano, Bruce Williamson on Clarinet and Sax, and Peter Barshay on the Bass. Overall this album deserves a 5 out of five because of its refreshing and innovative approach to the jazz world!
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The Standard has been set!
Kay Simpson | CA | 05/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is now the standard by which I will judge all other jazz, fusion or even blues CD's. The intricacies of the music satisfy the listener, and leave one wanting to hear even more from this talented musician. Amazing."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1