Search - Grand Pianoramax :: The Biggest Piano in Town

Grand Pianoramax
The Biggest Piano in Town
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Jazz, Pop, R&B

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. Showdown - Grand Pianoramax / Mike Ladd
2. Ride 1: the Race
3. Blue Gold - Grand Pianoramax / Invincible
4. The Hook Introduction
5. The Hook - Celena Glenn / Grand Pianoramax / Spleen
6. Ride Ll: Driftin'
7. Nikola Tesla
8. In the Lab
9. Tempest
10. Showdown

CD Details

All Artists: Grand Pianoramax
Title: The Biggest Piano in Town
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: ObliqSound
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 2/19/2008
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Jazz, Pop, R&B
Styles: Electronica, IDM, Jazz Fusion, Modern Postbebop, Bebop, Funk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 823889901820

Synopsis

Product Description

The evolution of Grand Pianoramax continues with Leo Tardin's sophomore release The Biggest Piano In Town on ObliqSound. On this followup to the group's self-titled debut album from 2005, the latest disc blends phuture funk, spoken word, hip-hop and the music of one of the most creative pianists on the scene today. Tardin brings a new cast of characters to bear on The Biggest Piano in Town, among them from the New York scene drummers Deantoni Parks (Kudu & sideman of Tom Waits, Me'shell Ndegéocello), Adam Deitch (John Scofield), American poets/MCs Mike Ladd, Celena Glenn (Coco Rosie), Invincible (Platinum Pied Pipers), and French folk/rap artist Spleen. Tardin, the premiere winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival International Piano Solo Competition, has toured around the world with Grand Pianoramax. Primarily an all-live keyboards/drums duo with occasional guest MCs and vocalists, the group blends Minimoog-synth bass, syncopated keys, organic drumming and freestyle spoken word improv/slam.

CD Reviews

Jazzy Pseudo-electronica with Mediocre Spoken Word Poetry

DJ Outro | Austin, TX | 09/22/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It takes some gumption to go by the name of Grand Pianoramax (the artist's real name is Leo Tardin) but this guy's sound is all about big bold statements. His instrument of choice is a beefed up electric keyboard (see the album cover) and is accompanied only by drums and occasionally spoken word voice-overs and hip-hop stylings. It's almost like an electronic album at times, but he breaks into improvisational modes with a Medeski Martin & Wood type of feel to remind us that he's still closer to the modern jazz tradition than the electronic. These make for the best tracks on the album, in my opinion, especially Ride I: The Race (tk 2) and The Tempest (tk 9). The needlessly weird spoken word poetry on the hyped single "The Hook" detracts from the otherwise interesting beat. A mixed bag."