Portamental

Gypsy Schaeffer
Peacetime Records
Jazz | Dec 2006

Reviews

Craig Matsumoto
Reviewed 2006-12-08
Mainstream bop-oriented stuff with some interesting, twisty songs and a nice upbeat feel. Quartet setting led by sax and trombone; the lack of chord instrument means the sound gets a bit sparser when the solos start. No biggie. Infectiously happy while still being kind of complex; there's good creative energy here and a good sense of swing. Very likeable stuff, recommended.

Group is out of Boston; trombonist Joel Yennior hails from the Either/Orchestra.

CD seems to be recorded at a low level, be prepared to crank it.

1- Engaging and swingy, mid/fast, nice bebop feel
2- Military march feel
3- Coolly '60s feel, mid/fast with some nice soloing space. Different from the other tracks, less bright ... it's worth hearing.
4- Mid/fast, w/ calm sparse space for solos incl drums
5- Mellow but still mid/fast, with some playful touches
6- Fast and swingy, nice
7- Fluttery mid/fast, after a slow intro
8- Loping bass into a pleasant mid/slow piece
9- Mid/fast, upbeat, gets a bit skronky
10- Fast but cool-tempered. w/seasick intro and quiet avant-garde middle.

Recent airplay

Faces In The Sand, Portamental
Memory SelectFeb 02, 2007
Under Construction
No Cover, No MinimumFeb 02, 2007
Oi
Faces In The Sand
Faces In The Sand
Noon swingsDec 20, 2006

Charting

2006-12-10 — 2007-02-11 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Feb 4 2
Jan 21 1
Jan 14 1
Dec 24 1

Track listing

1. Under Construction
2. Mummer's Day
3. Faces In The Sand
4. Time Management
5. Sleep
6. Ponus Ridge
7. Oi
8. Schemin'
9. Ugly Hand
10. Portamental