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Marshall Gilkes: Sound Stories
ByOn Sound Stories, his third release, Gilkes wields some very heavy composing chops as well. The eight original pieces on Sound Stories are quite appealing, and firmly in the modern mainstream with the occasional odd turn. Several combine aggressive post-bop lines with classically inflected, almost Aaron Copland-esque melodies that occasionally have a gospel-like grandeur. Gilkes and his band leaven acrobatic modern jazz with some sweetly balladic moments. "Bare" is an warmly emotional ballad that lives up to its title, if it's meant in the verbal sense. Pianist Adam Birnbaum plays a central role on the mellow "PresencePart 2," where his ruminative, Keith Jarrett-influenced piano gets a well-deserved spotlight. By contrast, "PresencePart 1" whips through a thrill ride of changes, both harmonic and rhythmic, with Gilkes and drummer Eric Doob leading the way.
It also doesn't hurt that tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin is along for this particular ride. Universally recognized as one of the finest tenor soloists around today, he goes toe-to-toe with Gilkes on pretty much every tune. This is a real treat. Not only that, but McCaslin and Gilkes sound great together in the frontlinenot quite as gritty as The Crusaders' Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder, but definitely with that same deeply soulful sound. Sound Stories is strong evidence that modern mainstream jazz is more vital, alive, and well as ever.
Track Listing
Presence Part 1; Presence Part 2; Anxiety, Part 1; Anxiety, Part 2; Downtime; Slashes; Bare; Armstrong, Part 1; Armstrong, Part 2; First Song; Thruway.
Personnel
Marshall Gilkes
tromboneMarshall Gilkes: trombone; Donny McCaslin: tenor saxophone; Adam Birnbaum: piano; Yasushi Nakamura: bass; Eric Doob: drums.
Album information
Title: Sound Stories | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Alternate Side Records
Comments
About Marshall Gilkes
Instrument: Trombone
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