Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Steven Bernstein's Millenial Territory Orchestra: MTO Volume 1

263

Steven Bernstein's Millenial Territory Orchestra: MTO Volume 1

By

Sign in to view read count
Steven Bernstein's Millenial Territory Orchestra: MTO Volume 1
It's hard to believe that someone with Steven Bernstein's encyclopaedic musical knowledge has left any stones unturned. Recruited by filmmaker Robert Altman as a musical consultant for Kansas City, the veteran trumpeter from the downtown New York scene became fascinated with the music of the late teens and '20s, when the language of jazz was still being formed. So much so that he turned the experience into an ongoing musical project that echoes the music of bands that toured territories like the American Midwest over eighty years ago. MTO Volume 1 is the first release by Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, though the group has been playing regularly since 1999. It's a shame that it's taken so long to document the MTO, but it's been worth the wait.

While the instrumentation—horns, violin, guitar, bass and drums—mirrors groups from the era, this is hardly a retro shtick band. The MTO covers material from the time: the swinging "Boy in the Boat, the up-tempo "Happy Hour Blues and a perennial favorite, "Pennies from Heaven, sung by guitarist Matt Munisteri. But Bernstein also reinvents contemporary songs like Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered and Prince's "Darling Nikki, proving that the best songs are malleable, limited only by the arranger's imagination.

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered begins like a Delta blues; guest artist Doug Wamble's slide guitar meshes with Charlie Burnham's violin over a gentle pulse from bassist Ben Allison and drummer Ben Perowsky. The slow-burn vamp builds into a horn arrangement straight from the '20s, before Wamble enters with a soulful vocal that brings the song back to the present—and kicks some serious ass.

Remarkably, the MTO has never rehearsed, although by the time of this recording it was already an experienced unit. Bernstein's challenging arrangements are both detailed and open-ended, leaving plenty of room for powerful solos from every member of the band. "Ripple is another bluesy tune that features strong solos from Burnham and clarinettist Doug Wieselman. Clark Gayton's lithe trombone is the focus of the jump swing of "Toby, while the soulful "Cry Baby Cry is a feature for Eric Lawrence's gutsy baritone.

"Happy Hour Blues shifts gears more than a few times, but the piece feels of its time until it breaks down halfway into a fiery swing that serves as a foundation for Bernstein's best and freest solo on the disc. The MTO may use the music of nearly a century ago as its basis, but it's equally capable of looking forward. Regardless, MTO Volume 1 is just plain fun, from a group of players who are clearly having more fun than anyone should be entitled to.

Visit Steven Bernstein on the web.

Track Listing

Boy in the Boat; Cry Baby Cry; Signed, Sealed, Delivered; Happy Hour Blues; Darling Nikki; Pennies from Heaven; Ripple; Toby; Soul Serenade.

Personnel

Steven Bernstein: trumpet, slide trumpet; Clark Gayton: trombone; Charlie Burnham: violin; Doug Wieselman: clarinet, tenor saxophone; Peter Apfelbaum: tenor and soprano saxophones; Erik Lawrence: baritone and soprano saxophone; Matthew Munisteri: guitar, banjo, vocal; Ben Allison: bass; Ben Perowsky: drums; Doug Wamble: guitar, vocal (3).

Album information

Title: MTO Volume 1 | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.