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Min Rager: Train Of Thought
ByRager has chosen the quartetsaxophone and rhythmas her form of expression for her third CD release, Train Of Thought. It's all originals, beginning with the title tune, a spirited ride that rolls along just a bit left of center from the mainstream with an edge of modernity and a boxcar full of originality. Saxophonist Kenji Omae sounds like a cross between Jackie McLean and Art Pepper, with his searing intensity combined with a push-the-boundaries approach. Rager jumps into an extended solo early, with a crisp and distinctively personal style, ebullient and free-rolling. Then Omae blows back in, and the train hits a downgrade and picks up serious momentum. An exhilarating ride.
"Beautiful Journey" begins as a ballad then slips into a mid-tempo pensiveness. Saxophonist Omae chooses a lot of notes, very well. Rager, and bassist Fraser Hollins and drummer Dave Laing lay down a steady and near orchestral backdrop.
Rager and Omae present a duo tune with "I Never Felt This Way," a tune that bounces with Rager's joy, and that the saxophonist tries to set on fire. "Say What You Mean" moves back to the quartet setting, on a lively romp featuring another one of Ranger's singular solos. They disc closes on a bluesy, let's-kick-back-with-a-drink, wee hours rumination, "Let's Be Cool." And that's what the quartet does: they be cool.
Track Listing
Train Of Thought; Beautiful Journey; I Never Felt This Way; Say What You Mean; Dedicated To You; I Wish I Was There; Moonlight Dance; Let's Be Cool.
Personnel
Min Rager
pianoMin Ranger: piano; Kenji Omae: tenor saxophone; Fraser Hollins: bass; Dave Laing: drums.
Album information
Title: Train Of Thought | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
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