...The interplay of the musicians and the fire with which they play is beyond categorization. This is music. It transcends labels and fashion...
Blending elements of modern jazz with rock, 20th century classical music, calypso, New Orleans, reggae, drum 'n' bass and other diverse styles, Big Neighborhood is a thoroughly original band that is engaging and creative, pushing the listener beyond the confines of tradition. Firmly rooted in improvisational jazz, they also explore territories touched on by Pat Metheny, John Scofield and similar modernists. The band features guitarist David White who spent 18 years in New York and Boston before relocating to Seattle where the group is based.
Bearing little resemblance to the late 70s and 80s jazz-rock fusion, nor typical of the increasingly common "genre blending" jazz heard often these days, the starting point here clearly is modern jazz. But into this foundation unusual and diverse elements are subtly poured in. This music defies easy classification and yet reaches and leads the listener into new territory. In doing so it reminds us how much remains uncharted within our own familiar musical backyards. It is a big neighborhood.
1. Masters At My Table 6:22
2. Layered Effect 5:54
3. The Book Of Masks 6:14
4. Neighbors 4:59
5. Revised Music For Low Budget Jazz Quartet 7:38
6. The Jordy Strut 8:55
7. After Letting Go 8:21
8. Tristed 7:43
9. Manic 9:19
10. Enjambing 6:06
Big Neighborhood is:
Chris Fagan - alto sax
David White - guitar, guitar synthesizer
Doug Miller - bass
Phil Parisot - drums
Produced by DAVID WHITE
Co-Produced by DOUG MILLER and BIG NEIGHBORHOOD
Recorded by REED RUDDY at STUDIO X, Seattle, WA, Dec. 15, 2004 and Jan. 10, 2005
Mixed by REED RUDDY at IRONWOOD STUDIOS, February 7 and 10, 2005
Mastered at SEATTLE DISC MASTERING, April 4, 2005 by MARK GUENTHER
Cover photography by SOPHIA V. WHEELWRIGHT
Cover layout & design by JOHN BISHOP
All About Jazz (Dan McClenaghan)
This sax/bass/guitar/drums quartet struck me on first listen as a group that Steely Dan might hire for a recording session. The sound is crisp and clean, modern, with sharp lines and well-defined, ear-grabbing tangents. And democratic, as opposed to a sax-in-front-of-a-rhythm section affair. Then I heard some Pat Metheny shadings when guitarist Dav ...
All Music Guide (Scott Yanow)
On Neighbors, Big Neighborhood, a quartet based in the Pacific Northwest, perform nine songs by either guitarist David White or bassist Doug Miller plus Jobim's "Triste" which, due to the eccentric rhythms and accents used in this interpretation, has been renamed "Tristed." Throughout the set, Big Neighborhood make their unusual playing with time a ...
Cadence (Frank Rubilino)
White's guitar and Fagan's alto saxophone sing out with harmonious clarity on (2). Pushed by bassist Miller and drummer Parisot, the two forward
soloists of the Big Neighborhood quartet start with unison statements that spring into more adventurous territory only to return again to music that moves at an easy gait. Melodic chords ring out joyously ...
Earshot (Peter Monaghan)
Measuring instrumental jazz isn't, on reflection, that different a task from considering vocal jazz. Again, the crux is being convinced by it all, and that's as subjective as it is arguable and, ideally, defensible.
I like Big Neighborhood's Neighbors (Origin). It is purposeful, unusual, innovative jazz of a variety that isn't going to scare an ...