MUSIC REVIEW BY Michael van Gee, Jazz'N'More (Switzerland)
The Western Jazz Collective is a renowned ensemble based at the School of Music at Western Michigan University. It consists of highly dedicated educators who are also outstanding musicians. The collective consists of Greg Jasperse, Scott Cowan, Andrew Rathbun, Matt Landon, Matthew Fries, John Hébert, and Keith Hall. They are joined by guest Kevin "Bujo" Jones.
The album, subtitled "The Music of Andrew Rathbun," presents nine modern and ambitious compositions by the saxophonist and clarinetist. These compositions are highly varied and, with their range of moods, offer the soloists plenty of scope for development.
The voice is conducted purely instrumentally, thus integrating it into the instrumental context.
Particularly successful are the rock-influenced "Making No Sense," the intense "February First," the collective "Different Directions" and "Line," as well as "National Nightmare" and "Reading the Exits," with rousing solos from tenor saxophonist.
The album, subtitled "The Music of Andrew Rathbun," presents nine modern and ambitious compositions by the saxophonist and clarinetist. These compositions are highly varied and, with their range of moods, offer the soloists plenty of scope for development.
The voice is conducted purely instrumentally, thus integrating it into the instrumental context.
Particularly successful are the rock-influenced "Making No Sense," the intense "February First," the collective "Different Directions" and "Line," as well as "National Nightmare" and "Reading the Exits," with rousing solos from tenor saxophonist.
Soundclips
Other Reviews of
"Dark Journey: The Music of Andrew Rathbun":
THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD by George Kanzler
Take Effect by Tom Haugen
Jazz Weekly by George W Harris
Paris-Move by Thierry De Clemensat