Search - Jazz Mandolin Project :: Jungle Tango

Jungle Tango
Jazz Mandolin Project
Jungle Tango
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1


     
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CD Details

All Artists: Jazz Mandolin Project
Title: Jungle Tango
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Lenapee Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 3/22/2005
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Rock
Styles: Jam Bands, Bluegrass Jam Bands, Jazz Jam Bands
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 826948080528

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CD Reviews

Essential
D. Lutz | Charlottesville, VA | 02/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me be clear about this. I own a lot of music. I have external drives filled up with countless gigabytes of music of all types - jazz, rock, electronic, ambient, funk, country, alternative, classical, vocal. This is one of my favorite 5 albums in my collection. Why?



This album combines perhaps the best improvisational mandolinist in the jazz world (Jamie Masefield) with one of the most ground-breaking drummers today (Ari Hoenig). This album is infectious. The opening title track starts by combining a more traditional Jazz Mandolin Project sound with the accordion and piano of Gil Goldstein (Pat Metheny) and the percussion of Chris Lovejoy (commonly with Charlie Hunter). Midway through the song, though, we see how much Ari Hoenig's influence has on this band. The pace quickens and the band has lots of room to expand and fill the space with textures.



This theme continues in 'Freddy', a completely improvised piece, that changes from being sparse to completely full, all over Ari's driving and funky beats. This is one of my favorite tracks of all time. 'At the Pershing' returns to a more traditional JMP sound, and 'Ipanema's Sister' drives forward with the kind of spacey/funky textures combined with driving beats that were prominent throughout the first two tracks.



'Oh Yeah', a JMP concert standard shines as a studio version of a song that can absolutely explode in concert, yet is consistent with the feel of the album. 'Proust' displays the technical mastery of the band, as well as ambient textures layered upon a steady drum beat and bass line. The combination of these elements produces an absolutely eerie yet powerfully moving track. 'Reich's Boogie' provides another example of solid layers beneath mandolin, yet with less complexity from Hoenig on drums.



"Pointillism" and "There's a Pipe in the Cellar" provide the darkest and most eerily moving pieces on the disc. Innovative drum lines provided by Hoenig combine with the simple bass lines of Danton Boeller, while Jamie lays down layers upon layers of mandolin effects. The result are tracks that are dance-able, groove-able, as well as capable of being used in circumstances of personal reflection and introspection.



Truth be told, I haven't heard an album as rule-breaking and powerful from a primarily performance-based band as Jungle Tango for a long time. I've played this disc to countless friends, and they all have agreed that it is wonderful. Do yourself a favor - go pick this album up. It's the best JMP album out there, and an incredible performance."
WOW! why would no one have reviewed this since march 22?
Ann M. Keeling | 09/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"SERIOUSLY, i just was browsing reviews and saw that NO ONE posted anything about this album! i mean it's so different for JMP and it's so jsut damn innovative and oh my god the drums....if you're a drummer, PICK UP THIS RECORD/CD/WHATEVER! it's a mazing throughout and it will get you so excited, i mena at least it does with me. Everything about this CD just amazes me, i can't say anything else but BUY IT...and REVIEW IT! and give it FIVE STARS!"
Why no other reviews? Well, since you asked . . .
The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 09/03/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Jazz Mandolin Project's "Jungle Tango" is a recording that won't inspire support or denouncement. That's because the music is mediocre. The musical premise and content is interesting. The Jazz Mandolin Project combines elements of instrumental jazz, bluegrass and psychedelia in a jamband context. Given that the group even uses an accordion at one point, the project is indeed interesting, but interesting is not the same as compelling. The compositions and arrangements are weak. Considering the instrumental jamband approach, the improvisation needed to shine. It too falls short. The feel of the album is painfully sanitized and neutered. It lacks the improvisational merits of most jambands; it is missing the warmth of Americana and it does not have the intelligence of jazz. That written, this is not a bad album, it's just mediocre. Ultimately, this is the answer to Ann M. Keeling's question, "...Why has no one reviewed this since March 22, 2005?" For most listeners, "Jungle Tango" lacks the substance to inspire praise or condemnation."