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Andy Suzuki: Prime
ByEnter the mathematically inclined Suzuki, who wanted to ."..combine my interest in composition and my fascination with numbers." Prime numbers specifically, as it turns out.
The seven prime numbered tunes on the disc are "2," "3," "5," "7," "11," "13" and "17.." Suzuki mapped the compositions onto various countable aspects of music. The opener, "Machine Language" (2), uses as its core a two octave mode. "Good Things" (3) is a waltz, with three beats per bar. "Four Fingers and a Thumb" (5) has the drums playing in 5/4, and so on.
Talking numbers can get a little dry, so what does the music sound like?
Suzuki is probably best-known in smooth jazz circles, having recorded four albums with smooth jazz guitarist David Benoit, but his quintet (five players, of course)saxophone, trumpet and rhythm, anchored by Nick Manson's Fender Rhodesmakes a sometimes robust, sometimes dreamy mainstream sound, leaning in the fusion direction, not unlike the music of Miles Davis' second great quintet. They open with an electric keyboard shimmer on "Machine Language" and rumble into some abstraction before hitting the groove. "Triskaidekology" (13), a hard-driving bebop tune, has an Art Blakey vibe, and the introspective and lovely "Four Fingers and a Thumb" features Suzuki on flute, softening the mood. "Tombstone" (17) feels floaty and fittingly foreboding.
Suzuki's fascination with the connection between numbers and music has resulted in a vibrant set of jazz sounds on Prime.
Track Listing
Machine Language; Good Things...; Four Fingers and a Thumb; Lady Luck; One Broken; Triskaidekology; Tombstone.
Personnel
Andy Suzuki: tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, flute; Steve Huffsteter: trumpet, flugelhorn; Nick Manson: electric piano; Dean Taba: bass; Kendall Kay: drums
Album information
Title: Prime | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Manasus Music
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