It's always difficult to judge an album of originals when you've nothing to compare them with. So often the heads don't grab you and, by the time the solos come in, no matter how good they are, you've lost interest.
I'm pleased to say that this is far from the case here. The themes are musical to the extent that any lyricist would jump at the chance of putting words to most of them - Jon Hendricks would have been the ideal choice.
Apart from composing, Nixon is a stand out pianist who swings like the long gone greats but still lives in the present. He's found that niche between the past and the future where musicality reigns supreme - Bill Evans had similar qualities.
Not that this is a one man show his cohorts blend in seamlessly, apart from when they have their moments in the Buffalo sunshine. You say it's snowing in Buffalo? Figures, these guys are just so so cool!
The word is that Christmas will really be properly celebrated
at Easter this year so put this on your Easter List - it comes out on Feb. 1.
Lance
Prelude; 7-8-9; Ruby's Waltz; Anticipation; Circulation; I'll Remember Felix/Incongruence*; Blues for Audrey; I'll Keep Trying; Line for Sonny.
*Two words in the album title, one word in the track listing!
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Andrew Nixon, a former student of the great pianist and educator Paul
Hoffman (MHRRecords), has a Master’s Degree in Music Theory from the
University of Buffalo (2012).
Joe Goretti, a
Berklee College of Music graduate whose credits include work with Moby, Ne-Yo, Robyn, AJR, Ingrid Michelson, Sam Moore (Sam & Dave),The Temptations and more.
Ed Croft is a 3 time recipient of the JazzBuffalo poll for Best Acoustic Upright Bassist and a graduate of SUNY Fredonia and Bowling Green State University.
Recorded in Buffalo, the album was mixed in the UK at Heron Island Studios.
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