...the underlying vibe is so tight and right on...Well done.
Renowned trumpeter, composer, educator, and author, Mike Steinel, partners with vocalist Rosana Eckert to showcase a wide-ranging collection of original music and songs. Though a composer of dozens of essential big band charts over the last 4 decades, Steinel opted for a quintet setting to frame his recent inspiration to write lyrics. From Irving Berlin-inspired ballads to soaring, through-composed romps, featuring intricate trumpet with wordless vocal melodies, Steinel's desire to blur stylistic boundaries and celebrate broader interests shines through. Reconfirming that music gains power when reduced to its essential elements during recent time spent with young musicians in South Africa and Haiti, Steinel's bandmates, and fellow University of North Texas professors - Eckert, Pat Coil, Steve Barnes and Carl Hillman - create a joyous musical collection, with lyrics ranging from the humorous to the poignant and back again.
Track Listing:
1 Haitian Banana Run 4:11
2 Who Are These People? 5:37
3 Beto Junction Breakdown 9:06
4 Firedance 6:51
5 Where Are You? 6:07
6 Basement Waltz #12 5:59
7 Yitav 5:33
8 Whispered Tear 4:13
9 Now What? 5:18
Words and Music by Mike Steinel, BMI
except (7) lyrics by Rosana Eckert, ASCAP
Performers:
Mike Steinel - trumpet and flugelhorn
Rosana Eckert - vocals
Pat Coil - piano and B3 organ
Carl Hillman - acoustic bass
Steve Barnes - drums
Production Info:
Produced by Mike Steinel
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Eric Delegard at Reel Time Audio - Denton, TX
June 13, 2017
Photographs by Andy Laviolette
Cover design and layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Song and Dance
Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
We don't get to hear from the Lab Band teachers as often as we hear from the students, but this is one of the places the kids get it from. With four decades of big band charts under his belt, Steinel opts to go combo here with the music doing the talking for most of the set. Tasty playing that seems like effortless jamming, this is almost a busma ...
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
Mike Steinel mixes his trumpet and flugelhorn in a velvety way as he blends it with Rosana Eckert's vocals in both wordless and lyric form. The remaining team of Pat Coil/B3-p, Carl Hillman/b and Steve Barnes/dr show flexibility and rich pulses throughout, particularly with Coil at the Hammond. With the Leslies, voic e and horn prance over the love ...
