Zhenya Strigalev's Smiling Organizm
Release Date: 02 February 2015
Label: Whirlwind Recordings
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5052442005575
Genres: Jazz Contemporary
Description
Russian alto saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev and his acclaimed fusion-edged six-piece Smiling Organizm release their second album, 'Robin Goodie'.
Following their much-praised debut - described as having "all the knife-edge momentum and skilled improvisatory abandon of its leader" by Jazzwise Magazine and "a real sense of a band in the making" by the Financial Times - Strigalev leads an all-star American band that includes Blue Note-signed trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, double bassist Larry Grenadier (known for his work with Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny), electric bassist Tim Lefebvre (sideman to Wayne Krantz and Michael Wollny), pianist Taylor Eigsti (whose many credits include Joshua Redman and Christian McBride) and high-profile drummer Eric Harland (whose recent work includes being a member of bassist Dave Holland's band Prism, as well as work with Charles Lloyd and McCoy Tyner).
Smiling Organizm frequently subvert the standard sounds and roles of soloist and rhythm section, with Lefebvre's subtle electronic effects and wiry guitar-like sounds layered between Grenadier's emphatic swing, Eigsti's lush yet angular harmonies and finely poised solos from Akinmusire and Strigalev. Harland meanwhile deftly maps out the rhythmic terrain, cleverly morphing simple grooves into multi-layered percussive landscapes. 'Robin Goodie' is a powerful mix of the saxophonist's many musical loves, the heart of which is high-octane, hard-swinging post bop. This is an ensemble work that showcases Strigalev's razor-sharp instincts as composer and arranger, as well as the depth of his knowledge of a wide range of musical styles, from free improv to funky fusion, out-and-out swing and extended harmonically rich melodies.
Personnel: Zhenya Strigalev (alto saxophone), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Taylor Eigsti (piano), Tim Lefebvre (electric bass), Larry Grenadier (double bass), Eric Harland (drums)
Tracklisting
Sultan Stevenson
Empirical
Lakecia Benjamin
Samara Joy
Josephine Davies
Linley Hamilton
Alice Zawadzki
Alice Zawadzki
Elaine Delmar
Ross McHenry
Open Thread (Peggy Lee, Julien Wilson, Theo Carbo, Dylan van der Schyff)
Antonio Farao
Mark Guiliana
Nigel Price Organ Trio
Conrad Herwig
Norma Winstone & Kit Downes
