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Greg Duncan & The Individuation Quintet: Unification
ByQuite often jazz listeners and musicians (especially those who don't read liner notes) are unaware of the chronology of a musical genre. Duncan isn't one of them. His straight-ahead/post-bop music stands on the shoulders of Terence Blanchard and the brothers Marsalis, who (although they might not admit it) stood on those of Miles Davis' first and second quintets. From this vantage point The Individuation Quintet is able to ascend into some rarefied air. Proof of this is both the musicianship and the underlying inspiration for the recording. Duncan chose an exploration of the subconscious, specifically Carl Jung's investigations, as the stimulus for the recording. Although {{Charles Mingus]} espoused Freudian ideas in his writings, both psychiatrists and band leaders composed very personal and intimate music.
Technically a stellar sounding recording, Unification showcases some gifted musicians. Highlights include the delicately entangled time changes of "Shadow Side," where the rich saxophone of Doug Rosenberg and Duncan's trumpet combine, then exchange musical high-fives, the ballad "Red's Song," a most gentle ballad that features Duncan's flugelhorn, and the earworm of an opener "Intro. To The Subconscious," that clocks in at a mere 1:42, but packs a haymaker of a punch.
Track Listing
Intro. To The Subconscious; Out On A Limb; Constellated; Anima; Red’s Song; Shadow Side; Path Of Light And Darkness; Thinking Light; Say Hey.
Personnel
Greg Duncan: trumpet, flugelhorn; Doug Rosenberg: tenor saxophone; Ben Lewis: piano; Xavier Breaker: drums; Joel Kelsey: bass.
Album information
Title: Unification | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
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