Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tim Kuhl: Ghost
Tim Kuhl: Ghost
ByKuhl has himself up in the mix and is an ever-present force. His primary focus, however, with bassist Jeff Reed, is in keeping things from straying too far afield from his compositional intent. He does this admirably well and tunes like the title cut, with its eloquent horn lines and pleasantly puzzling guitar opener, still maintain their melodic purpose. The all-too-short "Dr. Doom" kisses up against the crime jazz genre with its pumping rhythm and fantastic call-and-response tradeoffs as do the twists and turns of the full-speed-ahead "Eye of the Beholder."
While "Nemesis" is a delicately produced pensive portrait that features expert storytelling by piano and tenor, the band for the most part cooks. They do this in a little big band way as evidenced by improvisational vehicles such as opener, "Versus," and the up-tempo "Boogie Monsters of Swing," but also in the more narrative tunes. "(N)" is a tantalizing brief guitar coda that opens up more possibilities than it closes out.
Kuhl and his like-minded musicians have coined a sound that is both melodically accessible and improvisationally impressive.
Track Listing
versus; Ghost; Dr Doom; Nemesis; Eye of the Beholder; Boogie Monsters of Swing; (N).
Personnel
Tim Kuhl
drumsMark Aanderud: piano; Nir Felder: guitar; JC Kuhl: tenor and soprano saxophones; Tim Kuhl: drums; Rick Parker: trombone; Jeff Reed: bass.
Album information
Title: Ghost | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: WJF Records
< Previous
The Art and Soul of Houston Person
Next >
Heritage