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Jon Weber: Simple Complex
What really makes this album work is the important friends that have been rounded up to help out (e.g. Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, Eric Alexander, Diego Urcola, Paul McCandless, Avishai Cohen and several more). The bop numbers, such as "Hot Ice," "Drastic Steps," or the title tune, have the melody followed by either Alexander's sinewy tenor sax or Urcola's hot trumpet seeking to take it higher.
On a first listen, I didn't hear a great deal of the piano featured on these tunes, other than the mandatory solos and comping. The duet of Weber and flugelhornist Hargrove on "No More Words" is indeed a beauty with no other distractions. Burton makes his entrance on "Mister Kleckley" and appears on four compositions displaying his virtuosity on vibes as well as a distinct lyrical quality. Paul McCandless' guest shot on "While She's Dreaming" effectively turns this ballad into a mood piece in which the oboe makes a most attractive statement. "Is It Really Me?" has a distinct Indian flavor with the addition of tabla, tambura and sitar. Drummer/percussionist Mark Walker really heats up the latter compositions with a driving Latin jazz pulse. Of the up-tempo numbers, I was most attracted to the closer "Triska Deka," which teams Burton, Urcola, Alexander and the rhythm section for a 13/8 time signature send-off.
Track Listing
Hot Ice, No More Words, Drastic Steps, Mister Kleckley, Simple Complex, While's She's Dreaming, Is It Only Me?, Jolie, Whatever You Say, Triska Deka.
Personnel
Jon Weber
pianoJon Weber, piano; Diego Urcola or Roy Hargrove,trumpet/flugelhorn; Eric Alexander, tenor sax; Avishai Cohen, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, Peter Washington, Matt Clohesy,acoustic bass or John Ovnik,electric bass; John Moulder,guitar; Mark Walker, drums, percussion; Jonas Johansen, drums, pandeiro; Ruben Alvarez,timables; Paul McCandless,oboe; Gary Burton, vibraphone; John Ovnik, sitar; Siri Sonty,tambura; Kalman Pathak,tabla;
Album information
Title: Simple Complex | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Unknown label
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