Search - Chris Potter :: Gratitude

A composer's album from a player's player

05/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over the past 8 years, Chris Potter has been tremendously overlooked by the jazz media and hype circuit, yet worshiped in secret by saxophonists around the country, causing many to pull their hair out and curse the day they first picked up the horn. Major kudos to Jason Olaine for bringing him to a record label that can hopefully find him a mainstream audience.While Potter's albums have always featured interesting and memorable tunes, Gratitude stands out as being thoughtfully written, programmed, and produced. Somehow, Potter has figured out a way to communicate with those caught up in jazz's current fad of odd-metered, groove-driven, atmospheric, fender rhodes-drenched songs (a la Redman, Douglas, Scofield, and Rosenwinkle)without sacrificing the rythmic flow and melodic simplicity that are his compositional trademarks. He has also successfully made his almost intimidating improvisational prowess (ever catch him live?) more accessible (mainly due to the context of the tunes) to those in the jazz community not already familiar with his playing (hey, my dad liked it!) without sacrificing imagination, intensity, or swing.My recommendation: check it out! There's not as much hardcore blowing here as on some of his other records, but you just might catch yourself humming the bassline to HIGH NOON all day. I know I did."

Gratitude? No, only Qualified Thanks!

zimri-lim | London, England | 10/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sorry to spoil the flow of superlatives amongst these reviews but this one just didn't quite hit all of my buttons. I have heard some of the units in which Chris Potter has performed,including Dave Holland's Quintet, and have appreciated the music greatly. As a leader however I find that he has chosen material which, though good, isn't quite at the level to earn a fifth star. Initially I did not enjoy this release at all but having forced myself to listen to it a number of times I now appreciate that there is a great deal of quality music on offer here. The arrangements and performances from some excellent support musicians are nothing less than excellent throughout and the sound quality is good also.I would still recommend this release but with a slight reservation over some of the material."

Theres not much I can say

zimri-lim | 10/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The only qualms i have with this album are with his supporting cast. And its not with their ability, but it seems at certain points that (especially the piano) are being too timid. He seems like he has tremendous ability, and shows his great ideas every so often during his solo, but never expands on them. The bass also struck me as a little timid. Nothing wrong with the drums, Brian Blade plays his heart out on this one.And as far as Chris Potter goes, what can I really say? His technicality is out of this world, and it seems there isnt anything he cant play that he would want to play. All his ideas flow straight from him exactly as he hears it. His phrases are extremely well constructed and preformed.The music choice is outstanding. He doesnt try to "thank" the legends by playing how they did, but instead by trying to progress in the ways that they themselves progressed. On Star Eyes for instance, he takes a classic tune in to the realm of today and shows his prowess in it.An overall MUST buy for ANY fan of jazz"