In The Now

Yao, John Quintet
Innova Recordings
Jazz | Nov 2012

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2012-11-11
JOHN YAO QUINTET: In The Now
Innova, 2012

MODERN JAZZ – Small-group debut by an interesting trombonist out of New York’s big band and Latin scenes. His quintet has an agile, dusky sound, very modern in approach with a layered feel, and features buzz-maker Jon Irabagon on saxes. Yao’s horn lines tend to unfurl at a relaxed pace, creating tension with the rhythm section, and Irabagon’s penchant for free-jazz acrobatics peeks through at several points.

All pretty good. Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 4, 6

1. 7:17 – slow fanfare over latin rhythm; alternates with brisk, rolling bop
2. 6:18 – dragging horns over big bass, chilly organ & a tough beat
3. 7:41 – relaxed and dusky-toned: slouching melody but sax gets scribbling
4. 6:37 – tense: sax pulls into angular space, trombone pushes forward
5. 6:54 – cool noir stroll with a bit of an edge, good trombone & piano solos
6. 5:30 – tough-guy rhythms push this hard, oblique stagger-strut
7. 6:35 – relaxed ballad with rich harmony, lovely piano, picks up soulful feel
8. 8:31 – creeps forward, trombone has lots of space, but sax gets fast & wild

[ Fo ] - 10 November 2012

Recent airplay

Shorter Days, Pink Eye, Not Even Close
RebopFeb 01, 2013
Snafu
RebopJan 18, 2013
Divisions
Jazz IzzJan 13, 2013
In The Now
Memory SelectJan 09, 2013
Shorter Days
RebopJan 08, 2013
For N.D.J.

Charting

2012-11-11 — 2013-01-13 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jan 13 2
Jan 6 1
Dec 30 2
Dec 23 1
Dec 16 1
Dec 9 2
Dec 2 1
Nov 25 2

Track listing

1. Divisions
2. Funky Sunday
3. For N.D.J.
4. In The Now
5. Not Even Close
6. Pink Eye
7. Shorter Days
8. Snafu