COMPOSERS: Loren Stillman
LABELS: SteepleChase
ALBUM TITLE: Loren Stillman: The Brothers' Breakfast
WORKS: Loren Stillman: The Brothers' Breakfast
PERFORMER: Loren Stillman (sax), Gary Versace (organ), Vic Juris (guitar), Jeff Hirshfield (drums)
CATALOGUE NO: SCCD 31586
Stillman is an intriguing blend of hot and cool. At times he sounds like a supercharged Lee Konitz – long, purling lines feathered by a faint vibrato and usually uncoloured by any tonal distortions. His improvisations are packed with notes yet have a distinct calmness. It is melodious playing, and this masterful quartet get right inside the skin of Stillman’s nine originals. Just for a breather, at the half-way point they tackle one of Thelonious Monk’s most difficult tunes, ‘Gallop’s Gallop’. Versace is becoming a regular on Steeplechase sessions and his expressive approach to the B3 organ always sounds right and relevant. In an age of soundalike guitarists, Juris is a rare individual. But it’s Stillman’s formidable reach and well of ideas which you’ll most want to hear. Richard Cook
Loren Stillman
Stillman is an intriguing blend of hot and cool. At times he sounds like a supercharged Lee Konitz – long, purling lines feathered by a faint vibrato and usually uncoloured by any tonal distortions. His improvisations are packed with notes yet have a distinct calmness. It is melodious playing, and this masterful quartet get right inside the skin of Stillman’s nine originals. Just for a breather, at the half-way point they tackle one of Thelonious Monk’s most difficult tunes, ‘Gallop’s Gallop’.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:59 pm