Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ryan Blotnick: Music Needs You
Ryan Blotnick: Music Needs You
ByThere is a chamber feel to this CD because of the tightly-knit ensemble playing and the nature of the music. Blotnick's compositions are short musical statementssimple lines using different time signaturesthat allow for each track to be mostly improvisation. Robbins' ballad "Barceloneta has more of a melody than the rest, but is also loosely structured so as to blend nicely with the rest of the material.
Each player has their very good moments. There is some well-done contrapuntal work between Blotnick and Wortman; Smith provides some tasty brushwork and Robbins' saxophone shines on several tracks. Blotnick is always present and evinces a smooth style of playing.
This CD is almost a "concept" piece in the sense that the tracks are very much alike in feeling and ensemble approach. It is almost an act of bravery for an artist to record all originals for a first CD. However, there is curiosity as to how Blotnick would have interpreted one or two standards as a contrast to his personal statements. But since he is only 24 years old, he has much more exploring to do.
Track Listing
Winter Melt; Thinning Air; Music Needs You; The Quiet Space Left Behind; Barceloneta; Liberty; You Can Talk During This; Wrong Turns; Tired House.
Personnel
Ryan Blotnick
guitarRyan Blotnick: guitar; Pete Robbins: alto saxophone; Albert Sanz: piano; Perry Wortman; bass; Joe Smith: drums.
Album information
Title: Music Needs You | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Songlines Recordings
< Previous
Within Worlds
Next >
Dream Garden
Comments
Tags
Ryan Blotnick
CD/LP/Track Review
Marcia Hillman
Songlines Recordings
United States
New York
New York City
Music Needs You