After a series of spectacular jazz-beatish cds . . .
Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 05/07/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
". . . This disc seems both a little out of character and not quite up to leader Binney's exceptionally high standards. More of a documentation of his current working band (circa mid-2004) than the high-concept approach that some of his other recent recordings have striven for (e.g., Free to Dream, South, and Welcome to Life) and marvelously achieved, Bastion of Sanity nevertheless provides many moments of inspired playing.
What it sounds like is a high-level blowing session, where a guy with a well-rehearsed (or, in this case, a working) band comes into the studio with his book plus a couple standards, and the sound engineer lets the tape roll. It's almost as if Binney wants here to establish his jazz bona fides: "Yes," he seems to be saying, "I can produce a killer jazz-beat disc, but have you heard my straight-ahead chops and approach?"
"Well, no," (we respond) "we haven't, but after having heard them, impressive as they are, what if we prefer your world-jazz take on things?"
That's how I see it. Binney deserves credit for incorporating some up-and-coming players of note (Jacob Sacks, piano; Thomas Morgan, bass; and Dan Weiss, drums) and giving them exposure to the wider jazz world, but this disc, despite displaying some very fine playing, comes across as just a little bit pedestrian, unless you're really into modernized Blue Note sixties sessions.
Certainly worth checking out, but not quite as compelling in terms of concept, tunes, and playing as his very best work.
****1/2"
In the house...
Alan Kenwood | New York, NY | 03/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This band has been honing its chops down at the 55 Bar in NYC every other Tuesday night for the last couple years and the band SOUNDS like they have played together a bit. David Binney brings together some of the most interesting musicians from the NYC scene to perform his compositions. The melodies are always singable and funky as heck. Dan Weiss provides the momentum in the drum chair for the band, super imposing an amazing assortment of poly-rhythms, all the while making it sound effortless, he is truely a music genius. Jacob Sacks sounds full on the grand piano and really stands out. Tom Morgan uses an extremely unique technique and develops his solos in strange and interesting ways. He is one to watch in the coming years. David Binney always sounds great. This is a record in which he should be proud. Chris Potter. Enough said?"
Great jazz
sam | midwest | 07/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an outstading CD. Binney is set apart from a lot of his contemporaries by his excellent composing. The songs on this CD have interesting and varied themes and structures...and the band is full of energy. Thanks to Criss Cross for once again documenting the vibrant and exciting jazz scene while the 'major labels' are snoozing."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1