Search - Matt Arts Wilson & Crafts :: Scenic Route

Matt is the Man

James Lamperetta | Upstate, NY | 01/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Drummer Matt Wilson's 1999 gazebo set at our local Freihofer's Jazz Festival remains a benchmark for me by which other performances are measured. Artfully tempering their monstrous chops with a wit and whimsy, Wilson and his forward-thinking quartet showed that reverence for jazz tradition needn't be stoic and stiff. They were both a revelation and joy to behold that sunny afternoon.

"The Scenic Route" is Wilson's Arts & Crafts third CD on Palmetto. Joined once again by trumpeter Terell Stafford and Dennis Irwin on bass and clarinet, the newest member of the group is Gary Versace on piano, organ, and accordion.

Drummers aren't usually noted for their compositional abilities. Wilson however, has repeatedly shown a knack for writing tunes that are both catchy and substantive. More importantly they pass the "credibility test" as they hold their when set alongside gems from the pens of some the genre's biggest names.

The disc opens with the Wilson-penned title track, an infectiously funky rump-shaking romp cut from similar cloth as trumpeter Lee Morgan's groundbreaking hit "The Sidewinder." Be warned, this theme hangs with you long after the tune is over.

Elsewhere he again effectively tips his hat to the soul-jazz of the 60s via the wistful organ-drenched soul of "25 Years of Rootabagas" and the slinky-swing of "Feel the Sway."

On "In Touch With Dewey" Wilson pays homage to saxophonist Dewey Redman, his close friend and long-time collaborator who passed away earlier this year.

Among the other stops are the group's no-nonsense drive through Monk's "We See" and the one-two punch of Ornette Coleman's jaunty "Rejoicing" giving way to the deliciously gentle understatement of Pat Metheny's "The Bat."

Bobby Hutcherson's "Little B's Poem" is an effective piano feature, spotlighting Versace's light touch on the solo intro and the Bill Evans informed trio segment which follows. Stafford completes this glorious group effort as he chimes in on muted trumpet.

The disc-closing "Our Prayer/Give Peace A Chance" finds Wilson and his Swayettes superimposing Lennon's vocal (to great effect) over Donald Ayler's hymn-like tune.

Throughout the disc Stafford's playing is nothing short of absolutely marvelous- lyrical, unfettered, tasteful, tasty, cool yet hot, and to the point. Yet another reason to check this disc out is to hear the trumpet done right."

A New Wave You Can Ride

Richard Chapel | Worcester, MA United States | 01/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ever since free jazz scared off the timid, jazz has been subject to an early obituary. With "Scenic Route," Matt Wilson's Arts and Crafts group demonstrates new approaches to jazz that swing, that are accessible, and fun--elements sorely missing from much of the "new" jazz genre. Matt Wilson is a percussion section. He plays trap drums with the best of them but colors his rhythms with sounds from surprising sources. Listen, you'll hear the magic. Gary Versace on piano and organ is also a color commentator with sounds and technique that will allow you to forget funk...just for a while. Dennis Irwin is strong and lyrical on bass, a reliable timepiece for Wilson plus he plays a clarinet duet with Trumpet player, Terrell Stafford on Albert Ayler's "Our Prayer," with Versace contributing an accordian bit to put some real shine and appeal to a free jazz anthem. Stafford plays a great and melodic horn, emoting with New Orleans lip slurs and cleanly pulling off some fantastic and thoroughly new jazz lines. But wait, there's more! Wilson calls upon a group of backup singers called the "Swaylettes" to provide a novel wash for "Feel the Sway" and John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance." All totaled, you'll find plenty of old jazz sugar with some appealing new jazz spice on "Scenic Route." Highly recommended."

Nice to hear someone NOT working at smooth jazz!

John Garrett | The Desert Southwest | 08/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A talented drummer and bandleader, I would never have heard of Matt Wilson if it hadn't been for a recommendation from my absolute favorite new artist, Lindsey Muir.



God bless her for it. Wilson is one of the hardest working men in jazz, and after hearing this CD (and "Wake Up"), I'm convinced he's the best jazz drummer working today.



He's also a great arranger and bandleader, and draws a lot of talent out the other members of his group, especially Terell Stafford on trumpet, who sounds like he's channeling mid-career Miles Davis.



Excellent CD."