Search - Matt Savage Trio :: Quantum Leap

Jazz of the Highest Order

Jesse Carnes | Baton Rouge, LA USA | 10/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been familiar with the Matt Savage Trio for about 2 years now, and I am hard to impress in all candor. My ear is well ... ruthless! It always has been. Well, with the inception of this CD, I AM impressed now--very impressed!



This CD, entitled QUANTUM LEAP is a Massive Jump forward by Warp Drive. This collection of songs (the majority of which were written by pianist Matt Savage) speaks volumes, indicating how FAR his mind has come in music theory in just the past 2 or 3 years. As a pianist and composer, I am of the opinion that Matt is already at the PhD level of musical performance. This album bears out that opinion. As a buttress to my opinion, Dave Brubeck and Chick Corea already believe that Matt's future should undoubtedly be stellar, if things continue as they have been.



So ... HOW is this CD different than previous Matt Savage Trio recordings? Firstly, Matt has physically grown, and this means that his arms and hands can now readily take in the length of a concert piano. One clearly notices this in the song, "A Child is Born." This piece, in particular, denotes strong ability on Matt's part to implement high-order pedal technique and the upper register of the piano to produce a Legato effect of lush and vividly dreamy music. Many passages have the perspicuous but lucid effect of Frederic Chopin's nocturnes.



In another song, "Serenity", one notes that Matt's attack is much more determined and focused and he uses 3rd, 5th and 6th intervals to a moving harmonic effect. And yet, one also notes the precision use of timing and delicate allargando which comes only with maturity. As implied earlier, the listener hears the implementation of classical music's "Brilliant Style" whereby Matt is able to play both ends of the piano simultaneously. The effect is a big, concert sound which was employed in the classical piano compositions of Rachmaninoff, Chopin, and Tchaikovsky. It is all within Matt Savage's physical reach, and Matt's mind has expanded as well, as his original compositions indicate in this recording.



The song, "Curacao", is a showcase of wonderfully juxtaposed rhythms and chord-structures. Many of the harmonies are "close-hand" harmonies and simply stunning to the EAR as they alternate up-and-down. That song, alone, is an aural delight. It has a compelling "Mathematical" effect about it, and of course Matt is also a genius in theoretical mathematics, if some still are unaware of that fact.



I had been listening, this morning, to another song on this CD: "Give Me a Break." This piece is an absolutely hot, hot, foot-tapping music in be-bop rhythm. This piece really cooks and it is no wonder it is the lead-off chart on this recording!



Sound quality: this recording is even better than their 2004 effort.

The microphones, as placed capture ALL of the harmonics of the 9-foot 2-inch Bosendorfer concert piano used for this recording. Placement of microphones was perfect. In addition, Steve Silverstein's drums are resonant, clear, and his cymbals are pleasingly transparent. Good cymbal work like Steve's is sine qua non for a good Jazz recording.



Add to this, John Funkhouser's string bass is perspicuous but not obtrusive. The clarity of his string-attack technique is gorgeous. This recording is not just good, but is a labor of clear-thought, sound logic in addition to determined and focused musicianship. I have never heard a professional like John play a string bass like one plays the guitar, but Funkhouser is that good. This group has "mojo" that is white-hot and the chemistry among the 3 musicians is definitely "in the groove" throughout this recording.



What else can I say? . . . see where 2 years have taken a 14-year old youth who possesses all of the makings to become the next Mozart, in addition to showcasing his 2 ultra-professional sidemen, Steve Silverstein and John Funkhouser. A must buy CD.







"

Jazz Taffy... which is to say: It Sticks to Your Soul

W. Wilkerson | Earth; waiting for a ride... | 10/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must defer to the earlier review of this work for a technical critique.



It is however, without reservation. that I also state this is a "must buy" CD [as are all of the MST's previous works, IMHO]. For the record, though, this disc is light years ahead of the previous works and word from Vermont is that there are works "on the stand" that eclipse even this stunning offering.



The genius, the clarity of the recording, the strength of the "sidemen" all give Matt Savage an even broader pallate to showcase his growing genius [no pun intended].



We must be glad to live in an age where talent like Matt Savage is regarded as the gift from the Gods that it is, and not shunned or locked away or alienated. The Savage Family is also to receive credit for providing the kind of enviroment where a kid can be a genius and a genius can be a kid / teenager / grow into himself.



BONUS ROUND: there is a Thelonius Monk track on this disc - I have long held that Matt is nothing short of the current incarnation of TM and happened to bump into Mozart on the way into town.



Enjoy / go to savagerecords[dot]com to order a copy directly from the family owned business that is The House of Savage / search on youtube for some interesting video of Matt & Co. in action...



Peaxe,

Rev. D."