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ALBUM REVIEW June 13, 2019

Mark Dresser Seven: Ain't Nothing But a Cyber Coup & You

Read "Ain't Nothing But a Cyber Coup & You" reviewed by Jerome Wilson

This is the second recording for the Mark Dresser Seven, a chamber jazz group led by bassist Mark Dresser with an unusual front line of flute, reeds, violin and trombone. Their first CD was highlighted by satiric social commentary and tributes to deceased colleagues. This new one follows the same pattern. Two tributes bookend the CD. The opener, “Black Arthur's Bounce," is named for the late saxophonist Arthur Blythe. It's a collection of jumping solos by Nicole Mitchell's ...

RADIO June 3, 2019

Mark Dresser Seven, Georg Ruby Trio & Matthias Spillmann

By Maurice Hogue

A desire to play together more often led jny: Chicago horn men Jason Stein and Greg Ward to ask bassist Eric Revis and drummer Jim Black to join them in making some music. Great idea, and great results. Nature Work, their new album on Sunnyside, is a winner. So is Ain't Nothing But A Cyber Coup & You from the great bassist Mark Dresser. He surrounded himself with people like Marty Ehrlich, Nicole Mitchell and Joshua White for a session ...

ALBUM REVIEW May 24, 2019

Mark Dresser: Ain't Nothing But a Cyber Coup & You

By Dan McClenaghan

Bassist Mark Dresser played on saxophonist Joe Lovano's Flights Of Fancy: Trio Fascination, Edition 2 (Blue Note, 2001), and he sat in with soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom on her Like Silver, Like Song (Artist Share, 2005) and Chasing Paint (Arabesque, 2002); and he and drummer Jim Black filled in as trio mates on pianist Satoko Fujii's trio of superb recordings, Junction (2001), Illusion Suite (2003) and Trace A River (2006), all on Libra Records. This gives you an idea ...

ALBUM REVIEW May 2, 2019

Mark Dresser Seven: Ain't Nothing But a Cyber Coup & You

By Troy Dostert

One of the living legends of the acoustic bass, a relentless innovator and fearsome composer, Mark Dresser has spent decades at the forefront of creative jazz. His Ain't Nothing But a Cyber Coup & You is a follow-up to 2016's well-received Sedimental You (Clean Feed), a septet record that combined Dresser's skilled songcraft with potent political commentary. As excellent as the former album is, this one is arguably even better, with an urgency and directness that reflect Dresser's heightened frustrations ...

ALBUM REVIEW January 30, 2018

Mark Dresser: Modicana

By John Sharpe

As virtuoso bassist Mark Dresser has been performing and recording solo since 1983, you can guarantee that he knows what he's doing. And Modicana fully meets expectations, presenting an accomplished and engaging album which belies the potential austerity of the unaccompanied recital. The limited edition LP collects two pieces recorded live at the 2016 Umea Jazz Festival in Sweden, with five selections from the studio at University of California, San Diego where Dresser is Professor of Music. ...

ALBUM REVIEW March 30, 2017

Mark Dresser Seven: Sedimental You

By John Sharpe

So much has been written about Mark Dresser's brilliance as a bassist that his skill as a composer can be in danger of being forgotten. But showcases like Sedimental You and its predecessor Nourishments (Clean Feed, 2014) should more than redress that potential imbalance. His artfully arranged structures prove engaging vehicles for the improvisational insight of his star-studded cast. Trombonist Michael Dessen constitutes the only holdover from the previous outing. He's joined in the front line by flutist Nicole Mitchell ...

ALBUM REVIEW November 4, 2016

Mark Dresser Seven: Sedimental You

By Mark Sullivan

Bassist/composer Mark Dresser has long maintained a bi-coastal career. Born in Los Angeles, for many years his base of operations was New York--including ten years as a member of the Anthony Braxton Quartet--but since 2004 he has been on the faculty of the University of California, San Diego. The all-star septet on Sedimental You bridges the East and West Coast scenes, and provides an ensemble capable of a wide range of sounds and textures. Flautist Nicole Mitchell is ...