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Muirhead Quartet: All or Nothing
ByAs can be imagined, the album is extremely difficult to pigeonholeor even describe succinctly. Some tracks are hard-driving, post-bop tunes that would sound at home on a Kenny Garrett record ("Some Bark"), while others are deeply funky jazz-rock outings ("Gaartjie"),and still others are icy and austere ballads that could make an ECM artist blush ("Dimension Perspective"). Paying tribute to their South African origins, the group also explores its hometown influences on the ghoema-inspired "Lucky" and the gorgeous township-style ballad "Mlungu." It's a truly restless and risky listen throughout the two CDs as the band jumps across stylistic boundaries with aplomb, but it succeeds, thanks to truly strong compositions and its remarkable lineup.
Guitarist Bruce Muirhead and saxophonist Mark Fransman share the melodic work, the two playing off one another quite effectively. While Muirhead alternates between bop-inspired and rock-informed lines (not to mention some effects pedals), his playing is anchored by disciplined and focused technique that yields exciting and fresh improvisation. Fransman's work confirms him as a truly undiscovered gem in the saxophone world; at times delicate and soft, Fransman can also deliver gruff, blues-infused growls as the mood requires. This flexibility is matched by the rhythm section: bassist Shaun Johannes, who is capable of both singing counterpoint and popping funk; and drummer Henirich Goosen, whose propulsive work creatively supports everything from the lightest ballad to the most blues-rock-tinged outing.
Through the double-CD gambit of All or Nothing, the Muirhead Quartet unequivocally establishes what is it capable of, in both composition and improvisation. While it's quite possible that the group's future albums might focus more in terms of style, this gleeful romp through jazz in all its glorious forms is far too much fun to pass up, and is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable and fascinating records of 2010.
Track Listing
Some Bark Intro; Some Bark; All Or Nothing; Chilla; You Naturally; Mr & Mischief; Dimension Perspective; Milky Mode; Lucky; Sausage Soup; Gaartjie; Simians; Talking Loud; The Now; Memory Stick; Mlungu; Miss Trillion; Thunder Hat; Transplanter.
Personnel
Muirhead Quartet
guitarBruce Muirhead: guitar; Mark Fransman: saxophones; Shaun Johannes: bass; Heinrich Goosen: drums.
Album information
Title: All or Nothing | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Muirhead Quartet
Instrument: Guitar
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