Throughout this energized recording Macklem’s trumpet playing is at times off the scale–powerful, searching, emotional... a thrilling second chapter from a player who is rapidly becoming one of the most compelling new voices in modern jazz.
—Mike Gates, UK Vibe
Following up on his Juno Nominated debut album The South Detroit Connection Russ Macklem returns with a sophomore release that is sure to turn heads. Introducing: the Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet brings together a group of some of the best musicians Detroit has to offer: Kasan Belgrave (alto saxophone), Jordan Anderson (piano), Noah Jackson (bass), Louis Jones III (drums) with Windsor/Detroit trumpeter Russ Macklem leading the band on this set of original compositions.
This live-off-the-floor studio album is a triumph that harkens back to the music of the early 1960s. Three tunes in particular are sure to excite listeners: “I Will Persevere" finds the group on solid ground driving home a melody that only Macklem could compose. While “Nostalgia: For A Past Life" is as beautiful a ballad as anything that has been recorded in the past 50 years. And “Mr. Anderson," a nod to the group’s pianist, is a frantic number that feels like it was written many decades ago.
For his debut album, The South Detroit Connection, Macklem chose to record live in a club packed with music fans but don’t be fooled by Introducing: the Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet being a studio recording. This album feels as live as live music can. Recorded in a single session in a converted church in Willis, Michigan also known as Willis Sound the band was set up tight together, looking each other in the eye. Capturing the magic of this magical group in single takes was the engineering team of Ron Skinner and Ben Lorenz. Like Macklem’s debut the album was produced by Russ Macklem and Ron Skinner and is released on TQM Recording Co.
This live-off-the-floor studio album is a triumph that harkens back to the music of the early 1960s. Three tunes in particular are sure to excite listeners: “I Will Persevere" finds the group on solid ground driving home a melody that only Macklem could compose. While “Nostalgia: For A Past Life" is as beautiful a ballad as anything that has been recorded in the past 50 years. And “Mr. Anderson," a nod to the group’s pianist, is a frantic number that feels like it was written many decades ago.
For his debut album, The South Detroit Connection, Macklem chose to record live in a club packed with music fans but don’t be fooled by Introducing: the Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet being a studio recording. This album feels as live as live music can. Recorded in a single session in a converted church in Willis, Michigan also known as Willis Sound the band was set up tight together, looking each other in the eye. Capturing the magic of this magical group in single takes was the engineering team of Ron Skinner and Ben Lorenz. Like Macklem’s debut the album was produced by Russ Macklem and Ron Skinner and is released on TQM Recording Co.
