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Industrial Jazz Group: Industrial Jazz A Go Go!

By Rex Butters
October 20, 2006
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Industrial Jazz Group: Industrial Jazz A Go Go!

Andrew Durkin and the Industrial Jazz Group release a circus of musical styles on Industrial Jazz A Go Go!, with soloists flying through fiery hoops, arrangements making death-defying leaps, and Durkin himself flooring the clown car. They cover so much musical material, sometimes within a single piece, that they threaten to appeal to everyone. Yet despite bringing doo-wop, R&B, rock, blues, classical, country, free improv and jazz into coherent collision, these are not Frankentunes. Durkin's arranging expertise creates such a seamless flow that you'll be checking track numbers to make sure you are where you think you are. Another all-star lineup of firebreathers gather to realize these charts, including Jason Mears, Kris Tiner, Robert Jacobson and Cory Wright.

Durkin's doo-wop piano bass line sets the mood for "Doo-Wha? , inserting expansive modulations within the first minute. Shaunte Palmer's trombone initiates a cyclical groove that rolls its own. A fiery trumpet solo terminates in a fanfare series that kicks the gear and becomes a beautifully raw tenor trio rave-up. Staggered horns, blues scoring and individually voiced chords swirl through "Elmore Was Here, until they coalesce into Hell's own boogie. "Bandoleero, Part One takes an affectionate tour of Tiajuana, a fine soprano sax solo appearing along the way. Barely a postscript, "Bandoleero, Part Two retains a Latin flavor, but with greater harmonic liberties.

A swaggering baritone opens Truth and the Abstract Blues, and after a long loping vamp with blazing alto, the ensemble turns funky and the baritone starts preaching. "Cannon Indie presents a brief horns-only madrigal, then Durkin's strident piano bass returns us south of the border for "El Grupo De Jazz Industriale. "Baby, Shake That Thing blows a jumped-up gospel riff into a stately blue section that dissolves into Bobby Blue Bland land. A brisk alto trio blows the structure skyward.

Industrial Jazz A Go Go invites the listener along on an affectionate trip through several genres, each rendered with skill, love, and more than a little mischievousness.

Track Listing

Doo Wha?; Elmore Was Here; Bandoleero, Part One; Bandoleero, Part Two; The Truth and the Abstract Blues; Cannon Indie; El Grupo De Jazz Industriale; Baby, Shake That Thing.

Personnel

Industrial Jazz Group

band / ensemble / orchestra

Andrew Durkin: piano, compositions, percussion; Aaron Kohen: bass; Joe Berardi: drums; Damon Zick: saxophones; Cory Wright: saxophones; Jason Mears: alto sax; Brian Walsh: tenor sax; Phil Rodriguez: trumpet; Kris Tiner: trumpet; Shaunte Palmer: trombone; Robert Jacobson: guitar.

Album information

Title: Industrial Jazz A Go Go! | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Evander Music

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