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Shawn Maxwell: Shawn Maxwell's Alliance
ByA long list of tunes accompanies this large ensemble as the album features a full 18 tracks of original compositions. A cryptic list of titles including "Radio Hit Number Four" (actual album track # 11) and "EGOT" seems to reference inside jokes and industry terminology. Dave Holland's Big Band and Michael Brecker's Quindectet are obvious influences here, though elements of Sun Ra can be heard in the tracks "Quartan" and "Perpetual Day One."
With the exception of the aptly titled "Here's Your Swing Tune," all of the grooves are either straight or free and most of the song structure is motivic. Instead of relying on a repeating form of chord changes to support solos, Shawn's compositional style tends to layer repeating riffs and phrases into themes. Soloists are then free to take liberties with the material, bending and shaping it before returning to the original idea. A concept album in the jazz genre if there ever was one.
Track Listing
Fun Five Funk; Lynes Crayons; EGOT; From Parts Unknown; Song For Something Else; Plaza; Waiting Food; Pistols N' Tulips; Bitty Bitty Beep; Quartan; Radio Hit Number Four; Here's Your Swing Tune; Little Ninja Groove; Perpetual Day One; Looking For Alex; Full Count; Shadowbox; You Alright? I Learned It By Watching You.
Personnel
Shawn Maxwell
saxophone, altoShawn Maxwell: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet; Chris Greene: soprano saxophone; Keri Johnsrud: voice; Stephen Lynerd: vibraphone, percussion; Mitch Corso:guitar; Rachel Maxwell: french horn; Meghan Fulton: french horn; Stacy McMichael: bass; Marc Piane: bass; Paul Townsend: drums.
Album information
Title: Shawn Maxwell's Alliance | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Chicago Session LTD.
Comments
About Shawn Maxwell
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
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