Исполнитель: Jeff Baker
Название диска: Phrases
Лейбл: OA2 Records - OA2 22150
Страна: USA
Жанр: Vocal Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Post-Bop
Год выпуска: 2018
Количество треков: 11
Формат: MP3
Качество: 320 kbps
Время звучания: 01:15:14
Размер файла: 176,8 МБ

Треклист:

01 - Neruda (00:06:03)
02 - And So It Goes (00:08:56)
03 - People Of Paper (00:05:39)
04 - Ballad Of The Sad Young Men (00:07:37)
05 - Harbor (00:08:05)
06 - Lost (00:07:48)
07 - A Hundred Less One (00:05:57)
08 - Salinger (00:05:48)
09 - Not Cause I Wanted To (00:06:57)
10 - Stay Alive (00:06:20)
11 - Don't Worry Bout Me (00:05:57)

After a seven-year absence, vocalist/composer/arranger/educator and foremost fan of the Boise State Broncos, Jeff Baker has returned to the studio to add to his already impressive discography, which includes: Baker Sings Chet (OA2, 2004); Monologue (OA2, 2005); Shopping for Your Heart (OA2, 2007); Of Things Not Seen (OA2, 2009).

The distance between the earthy, basic Of Things Not Seen and the present airy and ethereal Phrases is a vast one. Baker increases his instrumentation dramatically, from a quintet on the former to a septet, adding an additional four as a string quartet for several selections. He also pulls all the stops on his composing, having written the majority of the 11 selections included. Foremost of the original compositions are those based on the writings of Pablo Neruda ("Neruda"), JD Salinger ("Salinger"), and Salvador Plascencia ("People of Paper"). Baker's melodies are lofty and light and his voice, solid with a rich hint of androgyny, meld well with the lyrics garnered.

"Ballad of the Sad Young Men" is nearly perfect in its adaptation to the surrounding material. Pianist Darrell Grant does an admirable job keeping this recording's light-as-air approach aloft and moving forward. It is a recognition of Baker's talent that he attracts bassist Clark Sommers and alto saxophonist Steve Wilson into his creative fray. Baker arrived years ago. It is now time for us to pay attention.

(C. Michael Bailey, allaboutjazz.com)
Jeff Baker - vocals
Darrell Grant - piano
Clark Sommers - bass
Brian Blade - drums
Steve Wilson - alto saxophone
Geof Bradfield - tenor saxophone
Marquis Hill - trumpet
Gregory Uhlmann - guitar
string quartet (4, 7):
Blaise Magniere - violin
Marie Wang - violin
Anthony Devroye - viola
Cheng-Hou Lee - cello