Search - Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski, Spike Robinson :: Groovin High

Rosebud

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 03/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin is the birthplace not only of Orson Welles but of Spike Robinson, the tenor star who, at the age of 56 in 1985, decided to give up his job as an engineer and devote full time to playing jazz. Despite enjoying considerable international success and recording over a dozen first-rate albums, his accomplishments remain as much of a secret to most Kenoshans as Welles' "Rosebud."Looks like there's not much left of Spike in print (most CD's, LP's, and books have the shelf life of a carton of milk). "Groovin' High" is not my favorite Spike on record because it forces him to share too much of his time with Hamilton and Peplowski. To hear him at his very best, look for his Harry Warren album, where the presence of Ray Brown and Victor Feldman inspires him to kick it up a notch. There's also a wonderful CD he made with all-time pro Al Cohn, whom Spike not only manages to keep up with but upstages on just about each of their tenor exchanges.Spike has a style and sound that evoke the 4 Brothers of Woody Herman's 2nd Herd. In fact, at times it's easy to mistake him for a Getz, Cohn, or Zoot Sims. What distinguishes his solos is their long, uninterrupted melodic line. It's as though he sees his goal way in advance and refuses to breathe until he's reached it. Wish his recordings enjoyed the same longevity."

A Mainstream Tenor Sax Delight!!

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 09/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who likes good swing or excellent tenor sax playing will love every track of this cd.Scott Hamilton plays consistently good swing on everything he has done with a style and tone of Zoot Simms and/or Ben Webster.I can't really tell Ken Peplowski's playing from Scott's.....at least not enough to bet money! Scott's playing may be a little breathier. Perhaps that's one reason Ken has turned more to the clarinet in recent years. Spike Robinson, who was unknown to me, has a real cool tone and also sounds at times like Zoot Sims or Stan Getz. Put them all together on this cd and it is somewhat reminiscent of the Four Brothers sound of the Woody Herman era.This is fine music throughout but there are three tunes where one sax drops out and you get a comparison of styles: "That Ole Devil Called Love" (Hamilton and Robinson), "What's New" (Robinson and Peplowski), and "I'll See You In My Dreams" (Peplowski and Hamilton). All are excellent improvisationists!This whole program is held together by some excellent accompanyment: Howard Alden on guitar, Gerry Wiggins at the piano, Dave Stone standing by the bass, and Jake Hanna's drum work.I have a lot of Scott's and Pep's cds......looks like I'll have to check out some by Spike Robinson.If you like tenor sax in a swing setting, you will enjoy this entire cd!"