Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Robin Eubanks Mass Line Big Band: More Than Meets The Ear

4

Robin Eubanks Mass Line Big Band: More Than Meets The Ear

By

Sign in to view read count
Robin Eubanks Mass Line Big Band: More Than Meets The Ear
More Than Meets the Ear is Robin Eubanks' first foray leading a big band in his three decades as a performing musician. The date features compositions spanning Eubanks' entire career, artfully embellished and re-arranged for a formidable 19-piece ensemble. The key difference between this lineup and a conventional unit—other than Mike King 's bluesy organ and Boris Kozlov's intermittent use of electric bass—is the leader's occasionally electrified trombone. Eubanks has long augmented his horn with effects pedals, but this is the first time he has done so in the primarily acoustic setting of a traditional big band. The kaleidoscopic textures, timbres and tones that result from this electro-acoustic contrast are often stunning.

The stylistically eclectic but sonically cohesive program ranges from brassy swing and lush orchestrations to driving funk and sweet Philly soul (recalling Eubanks' hometown), with many pieces deftly combining elements from multiple genres. Although heavily arranged, these dynamic charts provide ample space for key soloists to demonstrate their improvisational mettle—like saxophonists Antonio Hart and Marcus Strickland, who shine in this broad context. But when Eubanks steps to the fore with his plugged-in trombone, the proceedings get downright futuristic.

There is novelty for those hearing Eubanks' efx-laden horn for the first time, but it's no gimmick; his efforts in this milieu are every bit as distinctive and personalized as the Dark Prince's seminal innovations of the early 1970s, albeit updated with newer gear. Eubanks uses a wah-wah pedal and processed loops to expand his horn's wide-ranging color palette, generating prismatic distortions that sound far more electronic than acoustic in nature. In addition to a bold opening gambit that introduces the punchy title track, his amplified extrapolations on "Metronome" are exemplary—textbook examples of his forward-thinking creativity, bolstered by modern technology.

King contributes indigo-hued organ washes to the soulful "Bill and Vera," and the late Lew Soloff delivers heroic statements on the dramatic closer "Cross Currents," but by and large, despite his magnanimous leadership, this is largely Eubanks' show. With its career-spanning set list and ambitious arrangements, More Than Meets the Ear serves as a perfect introduction to Eubanks' oeuvre for those unfamiliar with his discography, while enabling dedicated aficionados a chance to hear his most enduring tunes on a scale befitting their compositional complexity.

Track Listing

More Than Meets the Ear; A Seeking Spirit; Full Circle; Bill and Vera; Mental Images; Metronome; Yes We Can-Victory Dance; Blues for Jimi; Cross Currents.

Personnel

Robin Eubanks
trombone

Robin Eubanks: direzione, arrangiamenti, tromboni; Lew Soloff: prima tromba; Alex Sipiagin, Duane Eubanks, Aaron Janik: trombe; Jason Jackson: primo trombone; James Burton: trombone; Jennifer Wharton: trombone, tuba; Douglas Purviance: trombone basso; Antonio Hart, Alex Cummings: sax contralto; Marcus Strickland, Bobby Lavelle: sax tenore; Lauren Sevian: sax baritone; Glenn Zaleski: pianoforte; Mike King: organo; Boris Kozlov: contrabbasso, basso elettrico; Nate Smith: batteria; David Silliman: percussioni.

Album information

Title: More Than Meets The Ear | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: ArtistShare

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.
View events near Philadelphia
Jazz Near Philadelphia
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.