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Barry Romberg: No Soap Radio
ByNo Soap Radio is a continued progression (part four) of Romberg's "Random Access series, and it is the strongest. The compositions open the door to collective playing and smaller intimate conversations, both of which are erudite. And so on to the "3rd Rock From The Sun, brought into sound by the tenor sax of Peter Lutek, essaying a Middle Eastern-sounding melody which spreads its wings on the rippling tide of the strings. Geoff Young takes up the thread of creativity, releasing unhurried notes that are rich in their detail. As is his way, Romberg plays with accents that devolve their impetus of the beat, the snares flecked, his rolls short and quick before he punctuates with more fulsome runsquite in contrast to the nuanced ambit of Hugh Marsh on the violin.
Romberg moves on to a quintet for "One Sock One Shoe. The rhythm sets one line, the saxophone of Kelly Jefferson and the trumpet of Kevin Turcotte another. Does it work? Marvellously! The melody is an instant ear-grabber and Turcotte, a player anyone would savour listening to, turns in some crackling ideas while Jefferson bends and squiggles lines on the soprano saxall of which is textured by Romberg's urgent drumming. For something that swings, there's the lair of "Funky Monk. Young churns up the heat with a bouncy run saturated by the melody and counterpointed by some thick chords. The joy of this cooking little tune is extended by Artie Roth, whose acoustic bass sings in jubilation. Adrean Farrugia plays the fourth hand, catching the infection and laying it down on the keyboards.
Romberg casts a spell and leaves you waiting to see what will transpire next.
Track Listing
3rd Rock From The Sun; Master Of The Universe; Additional Ornamentation; Her Majesties Secret Donut; Funky Monk; No Soap Radio; A Cry For NY; One Sock One Shoe
Personnel
Barry Romberg
drumsBarry Romberg: drums, electronic percussion, keyboards; Geoff Young: guitars, guitar loops; Hugh Marsh: violin; Peter Lutek: tenor sax, brass pipes; Greg Dedenus: Rhodes; Monica Fedrigo: cello; Artie Roth: acoustic bass; Kelly Jefferson: tenor and soprano sax; Kevin Turcotte: trumpet; Adrean Farrugia: keyboards.
Album information
Title: No Soap Radio | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Romhog Records