Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mark Murdock: Cymbalic Encounters

4

Mark Murdock: Cymbalic Encounters

By

Sign in to view read count
Track review of "Until The Sun Is No Longer"

Mark Murdock: Cymbalic Encounters
Drummer, keyboardist and vocalist Mark Murdock's Cymbalic Encounters features eminent progressive-rock unit Brand X alumni, guitarist John Goodsall, bassist Percy Jones, and drummer Kenwood Dennard along with legendary jazz-fusion keyboardist David Sancious and other guests. Murdock shines as a renaissance man and offers a diversified set, highlighted by the largely memorable compositions and aided by a crystal clear studio production. From a progressive-rock standpoint, he displays the epitome of taste, which is a component that seeds a comprehensive musical portraiture.

Jones' slinky lines and daintily rendered harmonics frame the perimeter of the delightful "Until the Sun Is No Longer." Here, Murdock's understated and endearing vocals ride atop a spunky medium-tempo rock groove. And Goodsall reworks the tuneful theme into his jazzy solo spot as the pace slows down, then reenergizes amid Jones' limber bottom, twirling lines, and the leader's crisp drumming. But Murdock also staggers the flow to help elevate this piece from a pop-rock environment, given the tuneful hooks and wistful melody. Ultimately, this composition outlines one of many contrasting factors on a program that duly features the respective artists' commanding technical gifts, yet doesn't forsake compositional acumen.

It is wholly evident that Murdock took great care assembling the production and was intent on producing an album that would age rather well, merging classic concepts with a contemporary sheen. No doubt, his creative sparks and lucid artistic sensibilities yield an irrefutable sense of fulfillment.

Track Listing

Personnel

Mark Murdock: drums, vocal, synthesizers, piano, frequencies and gong; Percy Jones: fretless bass and synthesizers; John Goodsall: guitar.

Album information

Title: Cymbalic Encounters | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Self Produced

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.