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Jamie Baum: Moving Forward, Standing Still
ByBaum's septet features an unusual front line soundflute/trumpet/alto sax and French horn, with the occasional bass clarinet blowing in. The group paints its sound with an interesting spectrum of hues on a set that owes as much to the influences of modern classical soundsStravinsky, Bartok, and Ivesas it does to jazz.
Many of the pieces have a dark tint to them, brooding atmospheres. The opener, "All Roads Lead to You," has the classical tingeand no wonder: the "You" in the title refers to perhaps Baum's major influence, Igor Stravinsky. And "Bar Talk" referencesof courseBartok.
The mood brightens with the first section of "Medley: From Scratch (Trilok Gurtu)/Primordial Prelude," bringing in a sort of funk groove beneath the two-brass/two-reed harmony, before the tune morphs into a wash of swirling, murky greys.
I've found Moving Forward, Standing Still impossible to listen to casually, in spite of the richness and beauty of the sound; there's too much interesting stuff going on at different levels in the septet arrangements. This is a set that repays you for your full attention.
Visit Jamie Baum at www.jamiebaum.com .
Track Listing
All Roads Lead to You, Spring Rounds, In the Journey, Clarity, Medley: From Scratch/Primoridal Prelude,South Rim, Central Park, Bar Talk, Spring, Rivington Street Blues
Personnel
Jamie Baum
fluteJamie Baumflute and alto flute; Ralph Alessitrumpet, flugelhorn; Doug Yatesalto saxophone and bass clarinet; Tom VarnerFrench horn; George Colliganpiano; Drew Gressbass; Jeff Hirshfielddrums
Album information
Title: Moving Forward, Standing Still | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: OmniTone