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Roberto Magris: Suite!
ByHaving said that, the music is generally sunny and engaging, even though Magris sometimes overstresses his idealism to make a point. He leads a quintet this time around with the voice of P.J. Aubree Collins added on half a dozen of the more "utopian" essays. Front-liners Eric Jacobson (trumpet) and Mark Colby (tenor saxophone) are splendid, as is bassist Eric Hochberg. Drummer Greg Artry keeps admirable time but is in some instances a touch too assertive, thus impinging on the soloists. On the other hand, Artry's astute drumming is indispensable on Disc 1's buoyant closing number, Magris' "Circles of Existence." Magris flies solo on four of Disc 2's nine selections: an inventive reconstruction of George Gershwin's "Summertime," his own ballad, "Love Creation," the Jay Livingston / Ray Evans standard "Never Let Me Go," and John Lennon's heartwarming "Imagine."
Perhaps as a nod to his predisposition, Magris chose to open Disc 1 with the dour and doctrinaire "In the Wake of Poseidon," whereas the high-spirited "Sunset Breeze" (with ardent solos by Jacobson, Colby, Magris and Artry) might have served as a more auspicious curtain-raiser. Collins recites the message on "Poseidon," as she does on "A Message for a World to Come" and "Circles of Existence." The easygoing "Suite!" is a highlight, as, surprisingly, is the venerable Nat King Cole chart-topper, "Too Young to Go Steady." Magris moves to Fender Rhodes on "Steady," as he does on Disc 2's "Perfect Peace," "You're My Everything," "One with the Sun," "Chicago Nights" and "The Island of Nowhere." Collins sings on "One with the Sun," but the mix is so uneven she was better off speaking. Aside from that, there is an abundance of first-rate, hard-swinging jazz on that number as well as on the instrumentals"You're My Everything," "Chicago Nights"and the lion's share of "One with the Sun" and "The Island of Nowhere."
In the end, the album's diversity can be adjudged a strength or weakness, depending on one's point of view. There is, on the one hand, the "message," which may not please everyone; and, on the other, the jazz component, superb whenever and wherever it appears, with resourceful improvising by all hands. One thing is certain: Magris follows his own star and keeps the focus on expertise and variety, pressing his purpose with flair and leaving any verdict, pro or con, in the capable hands of his audience.
Track Listing
Disc 1: In The Wake of Poseidon; Sunset Breeze; A Message For A world To Come; Too Yung To Go Steady; Suite!; Circles Of Existence. Disc 2: (End Of A) Summertime; Perfect Peace; (You're My Everything) Yes I Am!; Love Creation; One With The Sun; Never Let me Go; Chicago Nights; The Island Of Nowhere; Imagine; Audio Notebook by Paul Collins.
Personnel
Roberto Magris
pianoMark Colby
saxophoneEric Jacobson
trumpetEric Hochberg
bassGreg Artry
drumsPJ Aubree Collins
vocalsP.J. Aubree Collins
vocalsAlbum information
Title: Suite! | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: JMOOD* RECORDS