CHALLENGING, ENJOYABLE JAZZ FROM WALLACE RONEY, FAMILY, AND
RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 08/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Five BIG Stars!! Grammy-winning jazz trumpet virtuoso Wallace Roney has produced a wonderful recording that has songs with both futuristic shadings and timeless jazz qualities, covering alot of musical ground. Highly enjoyable, this is jazz for the 21st Century that grabs the listener with hot beats, lush sonic landscapes, and wonderful musical frameworks that help set off inspired solos by all players. And of course, some of this follows trails already blazed by Wallace Roney's mentor, Miles Davis. He is supported by his wife, the legendary keyboard master Geri Allen; his brother reed star Antoine Roney, who appears on tenor, soprano, and bass clariinet; Robert Irving III also on keyboards; Rashaan Carter on bass guitar; Eric Allen on drums; and Val "Gelder" Jeanty and DJ Axum on turntables. Yes, turntables, and it works!
The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, begin with "Vater Time", one of the most intelligent uses of turntables and sonic 'add-ons' that I have heard. Showering the song with electronic splashes and sounds, over a rolling beat, bolstered by a simmering bass clarinet/bass violin unison line, Mr and Mrs Roney get off some hot solos: and this one went straight to my IPod. "Children of the Light" begins out of tempo then surges into a sparely 'comp-ed' burner pushed along nicely by drum rim-shots. "Revolution: Resolution" has Roney using echo very effectively and inventively. "Inflorescent" is pure jazz beauty and is dominated by Geri Allen's powerful solo and Wallace's own trumpet individualism, occasionally conjuring up his mentor, Miles Davis. "Fela's Shrine" has a stark percussive landscape with a killer ending. The lush ballad "Nia" and the simmering "Stand" are extended pieces with outstanding solos. Bud Powell's "Un Poco Loco" is a burning experience. This CD points the way toward the future use of different types of contemporary turntable sidemen whose sounds can be integrated into the action, on the fly. There is alot of great music going on here and alot of great jazz trumpet on this disc. My HIghest Recommendation! Five JAZZY Stars!!!"
High Notes from Wallace
Jeffrey M. White | 09/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wallace Roney is an incredible musician. He believes in pushing jazz foward. I have seen him live about 6 times. At the Village Vanguard with Charnette Moffit he took the audience on a very special ride. People were high fiving him as he walked off stage. His music and this CD won't disappoint."
Jazz anyway you hear it
Mark Diamond | Sydney Australia | 02/02/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I hadn't really listened to Wallace Roney and then I got this more on a whim than anything else. I was knocked out. It is certainly NOT a Miles Davis knock off. Roney has his own vision and sets a sonic soundscape here that is very much Roneyland. Strong melodies, great beats and excellent playing all round. The purists will say it isn't jazz but (as purists always do) they will miss the point. This is jazz for now not then. Listen to it and be blown away like I was."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1