4 1/2 stars...an impressively democratic group...Humor and camaraderie characterize the thoroughly enjoyable debut from this communal big band.
For their second recording, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra went into the legendary Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA for a marathon two-day session, capturing the band's eclectic spirit through nine original compositions along with an arrangement of McCoy Tyner's "Señor Carlos." Led by trumpeter Erik Jekabson, the band has held down Sunday nights for three years at Doc's Lab in SF's vibrant North Beach neighborhood. Building a formidible book of originals and creative arrangements, a dynamic group aesthetic, and a loyal fan-base ready for anything, the ESO takes chances and explores options while never veering from their pursuit of heart, soul and groove.
"Plenty of vibrancy to the huge sound generated by the band, but it's the way the music flows so effortlessly that makes this a winning album." - Bird is the Worm
Track Listing:
1. The Captain 6:51
2. Gualala 7:50
3. Señor Carlos 6:38
4. November 11:03
5. The Falling Dream 6:46
6. St. Paul 6:07
7. Bossa Novato 4:32
8. Wicked 7:05
9. A.N.I.F 5:36
10. Jungle Rumble 11:18
(1,9) by Charlie Gurke
(2,4,10) by Erik Jekabson
(3) by McCoy Tyner, arr. Doug Morton
(5) by Darren Johnston
(6) by Michael Zilber
(7) by Doug Morton
(8) by Jordan Samuels
Performers:
Sheldon Brown - alto saxophone
Larry Delacruz - alto saxophone
Michael Zilber - tenor saxophone
Marcus Stephens - tenor saxophone
Charlie Gurke - baritone saxophone
Rob Ewing - trombone
Danny Lubin-laden - trombone
Patrick Malabuyo - trombone
Richard Lee - trombone
Erik Jekabson - trumpet
Darren Johnston - trumpet
Dave Scott - trumpet (1,2,7,10)
Doug Morton - trumpet (1-6)
Ian Carey - trumpet (7-10)
Henry Hung - trumpet (5,6,8)
Niel Levonius - trumpet (3,4)
Dan Zemelman - piano
Colin Hogan - piano (2)
Grant Levin - piano (8)
Tommy Folen - bass
Hamir Atwal - drums (3-6,8,9)
David Flores - drums (1,7,10)
Alan Hall - drums (2)
Special Guest:
John Santos - percussion (1,7,10)
Production Info:
Produced by Erik Jekabson
Recorded by Jeff Cressman, assistant engineer: Alberto Hernandez
at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA, December 12, 13, 2015
Mixed by Jeff Cressman at Cressman Music
Mastered by Jeremy Goody at Megasonic Studio, Oakland, CA
Artist photos by Baytaper, Karen Goldman
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of The Falling Dream
Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
A big band powered by a whole lot of wind records and plays like the pressure is off and they just want to have fun hanging out together. Quite a feat that this whole date was recorded in two sessions and everyone is watching the clock these days. Filled with the kind of fun that spills out of the speakers and gets all over everything, this is ho ...
WTJU - Richmond (Dave Rogers)
The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra is a 17 piece big band based in the Bay Area that plays music composed and arranged by its members. Led by trumpeter Erik Jekabson, the band will begin a new residency every Sunday night at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley in March of 2018. The E.S.O. currently consists of Erik, Henry Hung, Darren Joh ...
All Music Guide (Thom Jurek)
The follow up to Electric Squeezebox Orchestra's 2015 debut, the wildly diverse yet always swinging Cheap Rent is, if possible, even more ambitious than its predecessor. The 17-piece big band led by trumpeter/album producer Erik Jekabson cut The Falling Dream over several days at the legendary Fantasy studios. Of its ten tracks, nine were written b ...
All About Jazz (Jack Bowers)
No, the San Francisco-based Electric Squeezebox Orchestra does not come with accordions attached. It does, however, come with a well-developed eye for harmony and rhythm, an inflexible group dynamic and a number of perceptive soloists, all of which serve to make the ensemble's second album, The Falling Dream, a pleasure to hear.
The orchestra's ...
Jazz Weekly (George W. Harris)
The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra is a California based band, and on this album has trumpeter Erik Jekabson and baris saxist Charlie Gurke supplying most of the material. The charts are clever and modern, with chirping horns and guitar teaming with floating flutes on "Gualala" or charging with John Santos' Latin percussion on the extroverted "Jungl ...
