Jazz Articles about Uri Caine

Uri Caine: Solitaire

by C. Michael Bailey
September 1, 2002

The Whole History of Jazz Piano

Released as one-third of a trio of recordings hitting the streets at the same time, Solitaire blows a gale-force wind through Western instrumental music. Equal parts Eric Satie, Marice Ravel, Louie Moreau Gottschalk, Fats Waller, and Cecil Taylor, Solitaire expresses itself as Uri Caine's busy subconscious. This is a recording of vignettes, short piano pieces not unlike Satie's that draw upon a wealth of Classic, Jazz, and historic knowledge. The music rushes the listener ...

Dave Douglas: The Infinite

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 12, 2002

When it comes to varied musical projects, trumpeter Dave Douglas seems to be almost schizoid in his zeal for not recreating himself. On a purely artistic level, that's a good thing. But for those trying to follow his career it can all seem to be a bit disjointed. You know, “I liked his last record, but what the hell is up with this new one?" That's why for me, and possibly other fans as well, The Infinite is the record ...

Dave Douglas: The Infinite

by David Adler
March 1, 2002

The Infinite is one of Dave Douglas's more “mainstream" dates, in that it features standard quintet instrumentation--save for Uri Caine's sparkling, superbly played Fender Rhodes. Paradoxically, though, this is also a record that finds Douglas loudly declaring his love for some current pop music. It opens with a tender reading of Rufus Wainwright's “Poses" and goes on to cover songs by Mary J. Blige ("Crazy Games") and Bjork ("Unison"). Douglas also tips his hat to Radiohead's lead singer on the ...

Uri Caine: Bedrock

by Glenn Astarita
February 1, 2002

Upon the heels of his well-received and inventive forays into hybrid classical/jazz territory, pianist/composer Uri Caine surges onward with three markedly divergent releases for the Winter & Winter label.

His first solo piano recording, Solitaire, and the Brazilian-based Rio represent contrasting projects, whereas Bedrock boasts an electronic, groove oriented program. On the latter, Caine performs the bulk of his work on the Fender Rhodes electric piano, while utilizing the services of an ace rhythm section. Bedrock is a turbocharged session, ...

Uri Caine Ensemble: The Goldberg Variations

by Glenn Astarita
November 1, 2000

Pianist/composer Uri Caine has assembled a rather large aggregation of talent for this thoroughly audacious rendering of Johann Sebastian Bach’s The Goldberg Variations. And while Caine has tackled Mahler, Wagner and Schumann with much success, on this release, the pianist melds classical music with genre hopping, doses of humor and sprightly interludes that makes for one heck of an extravaganza.

A 2-CD set that expands the original 30 variations into 70 pieces, we must also be cognizant of the fact ...

Uri Caine Ensemble: The Goldberg Variations

by Glenn Astarita
November 1, 2000

Pianist/composer Uri Caine has assembled a rather large aggregation of talent for this thoroughly audacious rendering of Johann Sebastian Bach's The Goldberg Variations. And while Caine has tackled Mahler, Wagner and Schumann with much success, on this release, the pianist melds classical music with genre hopping, doses of humor and sprightly interludes that makes for one heck of an extravaganza.

A 2-CD set that expands the original 30 variations into 70 pieces, we must also be cognizant of the fact ...

Uri Caine Ensemble: Gustav Mahler in Toblach

by Derek Taylor
March 1, 2000

P>Recorded at a recent Mahler festival in Italy, Caine’s recent release revels in the challenge of fitting the Austrian composer’s classically grounded soundscapes into a jazz-based improvisational setting. The chameleonic shifts in styles and approaches on this disc are dizzying in both their number and frequency. Often the most unexpected elements of the ensemble sound originate in DJ Olive’s electronic accouterments.

Unsettling haunted house atmospherics and chirping electronics give rise to European march and waltz figures on the opening “Funeral ...