Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mark Sherman: The Motive Series
Mark Sherman: The Motive Series
ByAnd it's a shame, because the vibraphone is making something of a comeback these days. Joe Locke, Steve Nelson and Stefon Harris, to name but three, are pushing the envelope of possibilities, creating a new paradigm for an instrument whose last real movers and shakers were artists including Bobby Hutcherson, Gary Burton and Mike Manieriwho, mind you, are still making significant music today. It's really time to re-examine the position of the vibes and give them more street cred.
Mark Sherman has been around for the last fifteen years, having recorded a number of records under his own name as well as supporting artists including Larry Coryell and Peggy Lee, but it's his latest record, The Motive Series , that should really push him into the limelight, a record that combines a clear sense of tradition with a strong contemporary flare.
When people hear the word "contemporary," they often think of incorporating modern styleship hop rhythms, for example. But while Sherman's sound is as modern as Locke'swho wrote the deservingly-effusive liner notesit's nothing as blatant as genre fusing. It's more about a certain urbane attitude and urban energy that's rampant from the reharmonized "Nature Boy," which alternates between a quasi-Latin feel and an intense swing, to the modal "Motive #10 - Judaican" which, dedicated to the late Kenny Kirkland and one of two tracks to feature guest saxophonist Michael Brecker, revolves around a complex theme that is, again, a set-up for a hard-swinging solo section.
Sherman is a linear player who seems to bristle with ideas, whether on the up-tempo "Motive #8 - Altered," which features a staggering thematic figure, or on the tender ballad, "Motive #11 - Always Reaching." As brimming with intriguing harmonic play as he is, however, he never loses site of the fact that the successful soloist always retains a solid sense of construction.
Capably backed by pianist Mark Farnham, bassist Phil Palombi and drummer Tim Hornerthree more musicians you should be hearing more from in the future The Motive Series paints the most forceful picture yet of Sherman the player and composer. If there's any justice his name will be mentioned in the same breath as other modernists who are making a compelling case for the vibes as a front-line instrument.
Visit Mark Sherman on the web.
Track Listing
Nature Boy, Motive #10 Judaican (for Kenny Kirkland), Motive #1, Motive #11 Always Reaching, Motive #7 Alla Sandra, Motive #3, That Moment, Motive #4 Venture Within, Motive #9, Soothing Dream, Old Folks, Motive #8 Altered
Personnel
Mark Sherman
vibraphoneMark Sherman (vibes, composer), Allen Farnham (piano), Phil Palombi (bass), Tim Horner (drums), Michael Brecker (tenor sax, two tracks)
Album information
Title: The Motive Series | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: CAP
< Previous
Justin Mullens & The Delphian Jazz Or...
Next >
Mother Tongue
Comments
About Mark Sherman
Instrument: Vibraphone
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To