Conrad Herwig, Igor Butman - Reflections

Styles: Trombone And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:20
Size: 138,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:19)  1. Falling Out
(8:36)  2. King of the Mountain
(8:07)  3. Wingspan
(6:29)  4. Reflections
(8:05)  5. Olvidame
(6:59)  6. Who Cares?
(7:59)  7. Samba De Igor
(7:42)  8. Big O's Blues

"Tight" is the word that most readily comes to mind to describe this band's playing. For Reflections, his tenth release as a leader for the Dutch Criss Cross label, trombonist Conrad Herwig has joined forces with Russian tenor man Igor Butman as co-leader. Rounding out the front-line is trumpeter extraordinaire Alex Sipiagin, a name that will be very familiar to anyone who keeps up with Criss Cross releases. The music on this disc, beautifully recorded and mixed by Michael Marciano, falls mostly into the "straight-ahead" category and relies on the exceptional talents of the players and the chemistry they achieve together to bring excitement to the music. The program consists of five Herwig originals, two tunes contributed by Butman, and a swinging take on Gershwin's "Who Cares?" The three horn players blend well together and achieve a sound that is at times reminiscent of the classic Shorter/Hubbard/Fuller incarnation of the Jazz Messengers. Also in that spirit, each of the horn players seems eager to speak his piece and lead the band in a new direction. On five of the eight tunes Butman leads off the solo sections and never fails to impress with his warm, dark tone and long, coherent phrases that burn with an understated fire. Herwig follows suit with solos that often culminate in acrobatic displays of agility in the upper range of the trombone. Sipiagin also rises to the occasion magnificently and contributes some mind-blowing solos as well.

With such a strong horn section one might think that the rhythm section would recede into the background on a record like this, but that is certainly not the case on Reflections. Pianist David Kikoski offers solos that succeed in matching the intensity and wit of the horn players (his solo on "King of the Mountain" is one of the high points of the album), but it is his magnificent comping that deserves the most admiration. His playing choices are constantly informed by both the soloists and the rhythm section and his clever reactions keep the music consistently engaging. The same can be said of drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts who often sounds as though he has a third arm. Watts' playing is busy, but is always tasteful and raises the level of playing for the rest of the band. It is clear that bassist Kenny Davis is also listening to the rest of the band closely and performs admirably as an accompanist. Swing is the dominant feel of the session but there are a few exceptions. 

The second track, "King of the Mountain" has a modern straight-eighth feel and is one of the standout tracks of the set, with all the soloists doing some of their best work. The title track is a delicate tastefully-done ballad. As it's name implies, "Samba De Igor" has a relaxed Brazilian feel and Herwig's "Olvidame," which (judging by its title) one might expect to have a Latin feel as well, is actually pure funk. Overall, the musicianship and sympathy displayed on this recording makes it a rewarding experience that is worth several listens.~Andrew Luhn http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reflections-conrad-herwig-igor-butman-criss-cross-review-by-andrew-luhn.php
 

Personnel: Alex Sipiagin: Trumpet, Flugelhorn; Igor Butman: Tenor Sax; Conrad Herwig: Trombone; David Kikoski: Piano; Kenny Davis: Bass; Jeff "Tain" Watts: Drums

Reflections

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Igor Butman Big Band - Moscow @ 3 A.M. (Feat. Wynton Marsalis)

Size: 177,8 MB
Time: 76:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front

01. Russian Passion (9:43)
02. That's All (6:20)
03. Dirty Dozen (9:16)
04. Nevalyashki (8:09)
05. Take The A Train (6:56)
06. The Bells Rung In Novgorod (9:48)
07. Mirage (5:50)
08. We'll Be Back (8:24)
09. Moscow At 3 A.M (8:38)
10. Little Finale (3:23)

Casting a welcome spotlight on the underexposed Russian jazz scene, star saxophonist Igor Butman reunites with a longtime friend and collaborator, composer/arranger Nick Levinovsky, to co-lead a bright, swinging 16-piece ensemble on Moscow @ 3 A.M. Both men are important figures in their nation’s jazz history: In the 1980s, Butman and Levinovsky formed the core of the band Allegro, among the best-known carriers of the jazz banner in what was still the Soviet Union. In the intervening years, Butman has bounced between Moscow and New York, building an impressive résumé of work with top international artists. (He’s recruited Wynton Marsalis as a guest soloist here.)

The music, blazingly rendered for a full 77 minutes, is pretty much all Levinovsky. Smoothly gliding and tightly focused, Levinovsky’s lush orchestrations are always on the move, built from hard-swinging, repeated riff melodies that recall Gerald Wilson’s big-band style but also carry the occasional whiff of folk melody. Solos are spread around the group, and Butman’s presence, while strong and assured, is far from dominant. Still, he turns in some ambitious playing, stretching out from positions of calm repose to insistent, impassioned jabs, buoyed by the ensemble as in the sweeping, odd-metered cycle of “Dirty Dozen.”

The set is especially flattering to soprano saxophones. Tag-teaming in the sassy “Nevalyashki,” soprano players Dmitry Mospan and Oleg Grymov chase each other in circles, an elusive hummingbird’s flight juxtaposed with sure-footed analysis. And Marsalis adds his distinctive trumpet touch to three tracks, settling gently into Levinovsky’s enveloping swing like a pearl on a velvet cushion. ~By Forrest Dylan Bryant

Moscow @ 3 A.M.

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Igor Butman - Magic Land

Styles: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:49
Size: 169,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:32)  1. Bu-ra-ti-no
(7:08)  2. Amazing Far
(8:29)  3. Friends song
(6:22)  4. Water skis
(6:49)  5. Song of Little lion and Turtle
(7:50)  6. Lullaby of Mommy bear
(7:37)  7. Summer Song
(6:41)  8. Golden Sun Ray
(7:46)  9. Chunga-Changa
(8:30) 10. Lullaby

Russian sax man Igor Butman uses music from Russian cartoons and movies as the inspiration for Magic Land, where he has the support of a Hall of Fame band Randy Brecker (trumpet), Stefon Harris (vibes), Chick Corea (piano), John Patitucci (bass) and drummer Jack DeJohnette, who doubles as producer. "Bu-ra-ti-no embodies the music's spirit. Butman's soprano is joyful and the band takes fine advantage of the song's open spaces. He places the ballad "Amazing Far initially in the capable hands of Brecker, then joins him for a fine tenor/trumpet tandem. "Friends Song has a nicely funky underbelly and Butman shines here, too, taking interesting melodic paths along the way during his solos. The band has fun with the frenetic "Water Skis," especially Corea, DeJohnette and Patitucci, who exploit the tune's inherent mischief splendidly.

The tender ballad "Lullaby of Mommy Bear shows that Butman can sing a song, not just play it. The infectious "Summer Song shifts effectively between bebop and bossa nova, with Butman going back to soprano. "Golden Sun Ray sounds like a Coltrane foray at the outset, but morphs into a laid-back hybrid of funk and bop with Butman's tenor and outstanding work by the rhythm section. Butman plays with dexterity and fire on the Latin-flavored "Chunga-Changa," where Patitucci takes an exciting pizzicato turn.

Butman showcased a few of these tunes during a gig at New York's Dizzy's Club in late November, 2007. The rhythm section of bassist George Mraz, drummer Lewis Nash and pianist Cyrus Chestnut would have been worth the cover charge alone. As on the CD, Butman's tone was strong, compelling and bluesy and he played passionately without over-emoting. Their version of "Summer Song was reminiscent of Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas." "Water Skis sounded more like a Raymond Scott Warner Brothers classic; the band ran with it, especially Chestnut, who quoted The Flintstones theme while soloing. In the right hands, even cartoon music can be technically challenging and fun. ~  Terrell Kent Holmes http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=27933#.Urw_k7TJI0g

Personnel: Igor Butman: tenor and soprano saxophones; Randy Brecker: trumpet; Stefon Harris: vibes; Chick Corea: piano; John Patitucci: bass; Jack DeJohnette: drums.

Magic Land

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