CD Review: John Escreet - Sabotage and Celebration

John Escreet - Piano, Fender Rhodes; David Binney - Alto/Sop Saxophones; Chris Potter –  Tenor Saxophone; Matt Brewer –Bass; Jim Black – Drums. With Adam Rogers- Guitar(tracks 5&7); Louis Cole and Genevieve Artadi, Nina Geiger  Vocals (track 7)

(Review by Steve H.)

This album release could be more poignant with the US in budget and debt crisis dominating world economic affairs. Doncaster born John Escreet  resident New Yorker since 2006  composed the bulk of the music during Hurricane Sandy shortly before the last US presidential election.

The album begins with a dreamy string introduction Axis of Hope which rolls seamlessly into He Who Dares a cracking contemporary ensemble piece. The title track begins slowly with a sparse introduction from Escreet the strings than join in softly before the piece explodes with an exhilarating cacophony of noise from the all of the players this represents the perceived ‘Sabotage’ of Obamas’s campaign.by various degrees of subterfuge preventing voters casting their ballet The ‘Celebration’ then begins representing Obama’s victory the rhythm section  takes over  with an invigorating mid section before the horns bring us to a triumphant finale. The Decapitator is a more tranquil piece played just by the trio. Laura Angela features Escreet on Fender Rhodes and is a relatively funky number. Animal Style is a robust number with truly wonderful solo’s by both saxophonists. The album concludes with Beyond Your Wildest Dreams featuring some fascinating vocals  as the title alludes the listener is taken on a glorious magical musical uplifting journey full of hope and promise.

This is a really enjoyable album and has certainly inspired me to get hold of Escreet’s previous work. Sadly we are once again in a period of ‘Sabotage’ as far as Obama is concerned and this reviewer is looking forward to the time when the US gets it’s act together so we can begin to ‘Celebrate’ once more.

Available October 15.

Steve H.