Search - Peter Madsen :: Sphere Essence / another side of monk

Peter Madsen
Sphere Essence / another side of monk
Genre: Jazz

Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
1. Thelonious
2. Evidence
3. Hornin-in
4. Oska T
5. Ugly Beauty
6. Monkalude T
7. Criss Cross
8. Monkalude S
9. Trinkle Tinkle
10. Four in One
11. Monkalude M
12. Feeling That Way Now aka Monk's Mood

CD Details

All Artists: Peter Madsen
Title: Sphere Essence / another side of monk
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Playscape Recordings
Original Release Date: 5/11/2003
Release Date: 5/11/2003
Genre: Jazz
Style: Modern Postbebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 687259621226

Synopsis

Album Description

The self-explanatory Sphere Essence is pianist Peter Madsen's solo tribute to the great Thelonious Sphere Monk. A return to his earliest influence after nearly 25 years of active performing around the world, this recording is a welcome, but precarious challenge for a pianist who has filtered Monk's singular style through his own playing for decades. Madsen interprets the heart of the classic Monk catalog, as well as lesser-heard pieces like "Oska T" and "Ugly Beauty," and adds three short transitional pieces of his own called monkaludes. The versatile Madsen has appeared on more than 60 recordings, including recent Playscape titles by the Michael Musillami/Mario Pavone Quartet among many others, and dozens of his compositions have been recorded by many of the world?s best jazz musicians.

CD Reviews

Monk-Key Business

06/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Madsen's Monk tribute ("Sphere Essence", Playscape Recordings) is nothing short of spectacular. He may have exhausted the physical and conceptual limits of piano jazz with this effort. Without exception, his interpretations are fresh, energized and powerful. Getting beyond Madsen's overwhelming display of technical proficiency, I found each track deeply musical to the point of being hypnotic - and always true to Monk's original concept.The recording is A+ from the perspective of sound fidelity, too. The listener is placed in perfect proximity to the piano, which is perfectly in tune and sounds like it must be the world's finest instrument.With "Sphere Essence," Madsen has raised the bar on Monk interpretations so high that they are likely never to be equaled, nor the attempt made to do so."

Creative top of the line piano music

07/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Man can this guy play. Peter Madsen should be a household word on the jazz scene. Freedom and control. Old and new. Fun and serious. This is a wonderful creative CD that captures the essence of Monk with a totally unique voice. I highly recommend this CD!"