Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Antonio Sanchez: New Life

Antonio Sanchez: New Life

By Glenn Astarita
April 16, 2013
View read count

Track review of "Medusa"

Add Antonio Sanchez's name to the list of modern era drumming titans. He cut his teeth with guitarist Pat Metheny amid stints with vibraphonist Gary Burton and first-call session activities, paralleling his burgeoning solo career that continues to flourish. Sanchez always performs with his peers, and with the superstar dual sax attack of David Binney and Donny McCaslin steering the front line, the drummer imparts diversity on this presentation that tenders alternating currents, dynamic modern jazz fare and a few sensitive moments. It's a multi-hued portraiture of an artist who continues to grow and branch out; diversification is a key factor on New Life.

Nascent pianist John Escreet assists with the groove-building episodes during the piece based on the monstrous Greek mythological figure "Medusa," as the saxophonists spark a heated frenzy via circular unison choruses. Sanchez injects a Latin touch in concert with bristling bop phrasings from the front line and other segments, featuring slippery drum and bass grooves.

It's a festive and robust endeavor tweaked with portentous undertones, as the drummer darts and dances across the kit while the saxophonists tear it up. The band projects a mighty presence, with Binney and McCaslin reformulating the primary melody, counterbalanced with a throng of highs, lows and rapid-fire breakouts.

Track Listing

Uprising and Revolutions; Minotaur; New Life; Nighttime Story; Medusa; The Real McDaddy; Air; Family Ties.

Personnel

Antonio Sanchez

drums

Antonio Sanchez: drums, vocals, additional keyboards; Donny McCaslin: tenor saxophone; David Binney: alto saxophone; John Escreet: piano, fender rhodes; Matt Brewer: acoustic bass, electric bass; Thana Alexa: vocals (3).

Album information

Title: New Life | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: CAM Jazz

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Craig Taborn: Chants
< Previous

Light From Old Stars
Next >

Antonio Sanchez Concerts

Apr 26 Sun

Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda & Antonio...

Clyde Theatre
Fort Wayne, IN

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.