Battle Mountain

Jazz | Jun 2014

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2014-06-12
BEN FLOCKS: Battle Mountain
self-released, 2014

MODERN/FOLK JAZZ – Tenor saxophonist Ben Flocks, a Santa Cruz native now based in NYC, adds a solid dose of blues and Americana into a modern jazz setting in his debut release. His quintet also has a dreamlike quality sometimes reminiscent of Bill Frisell. Nice stuff.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11

1. 5:31 – rides a cool bass/drum groove: swampy guitar sets up bluesy sax
2. 3:40 – haunting folksong: echoes and swirls like a dream under sax melody
3. 7:58 – loping beat: folksy road song, with otherworldly touches at the fringes
4. 5:39 – slow, nostalgic daydream, freeform and calmly drifting…
5. 4:11 – elegant, old-fashioned latin ballad, very pleasant, rather romantic
6. 5:23 – southwestern lope with accordion: upbeat and optimistic, a bit corny
7. 4:52 – standard ballad: slow-dance feel from guitar & sax
8. 3:59 – midtempo stomp ‘n’ stroll: bluesy sax takes it easy
9. 5:01 – slinky blues-ballad with a cool, sassy sound; nice round of solos
10. 3:56 – slow country ballad, nicely played
11. 5:58 – alternative version of #1, more sinister with dirty guitar & keys

[ Fo ] - 12 June 2014

Recent airplay

Don't Think Twice It's Alright
TraditionsOct 26, 2018
Tennessee Waltz
TraditionsJun 29, 2018
Return To Battle Mountain
No Cover, No MinimumOct 19, 2017
Shenandoah, Battle Mountain
RebopOct 30, 2015
Return To Battle Mountain, Tennessee Waltz, Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
RebopAug 29, 2014
Don't Think Twice It's Alright, Shenandoah
RebopAug 22, 2014

Charting

2014-06-13 — 2014-08-15 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Aug 17 1
Aug 10 1
Aug 3 2
Jul 20 1
Jul 13 2
Jul 6 2
Jun 22 1
Jun 15 1

Track listing

1. Battle Mountain
2. Shenandoah
3. Don't Think Twice It's Alright
4. Eagle Rock
5. Murmullo
6. Silver City Bound
7. Polkadots And Moonbeams
8. Boardwalk Boogaloo
9. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
10. Tennessee Waltz
11. Return To Battle Mountain