Devotion
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2009-03-08
Reviewed 2009-03-08
ROCCO JOHN GROUP: Devotion
COCA, 2009
MODERN JAZZ – This cool “chordless” quartet (sax/trumpet/bass/ drums) has a distinctive, slightly sour group voice (an extension really of RJ’s vinegary sax work). The CD includes several overt tributes to past masters, including recently deceased bassist Dennis Irwin (the trumpeter’s father) in a balance of freedom and cohesion, old and new.
NOTE: The leader's full name is Rocco John Iacovone. Don't get tripped up by our alphabetizing and call him "John Rocco" or something... :-)
* * * * | Fo’s Picks: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11
1. 7:11 – lumpy/knotty phrases over steady walking groove (for Eric Dolphy)
2. 9:54 – gliding rhythm jostles with tightly wound horns (for Dennis Irwin)
3. 8:20 – classical chamber music gives way to midtempo bebop-based lines
4. 3:53 – steady swing: tricky lines entwined over standard chord changes
5. 4:29 – relaxed: inquisitive soprano sax & muted trumpet, meditative rhythm
6. 11:15 – sing-song riff into serious horn dialogues, relatively free middle
7. 4:32 – upbeat, moves with an easy gait as horns bounce off each other
8. 6:42 – mysterious groove: horns are elusive, almost alien (for T. Monk)
9. 10:50 – loose sax/drum duet gets real busy, then a sneaky trio with trumpet
10. 5:16 – horns ramble & croon over a coolly detached walking groove
11. 6:27 – quietly exotic with hand drumming & sinuously woven melodic lines
[ Fo ] 03/08/09
COCA, 2009
MODERN JAZZ – This cool “chordless” quartet (sax/trumpet/bass/ drums) has a distinctive, slightly sour group voice (an extension really of RJ’s vinegary sax work). The CD includes several overt tributes to past masters, including recently deceased bassist Dennis Irwin (the trumpeter’s father) in a balance of freedom and cohesion, old and new.
NOTE: The leader's full name is Rocco John Iacovone. Don't get tripped up by our alphabetizing and call him "John Rocco" or something... :-)
* * * * | Fo’s Picks: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11
1. 7:11 – lumpy/knotty phrases over steady walking groove (for Eric Dolphy)
2. 9:54 – gliding rhythm jostles with tightly wound horns (for Dennis Irwin)
3. 8:20 – classical chamber music gives way to midtempo bebop-based lines
4. 3:53 – steady swing: tricky lines entwined over standard chord changes
5. 4:29 – relaxed: inquisitive soprano sax & muted trumpet, meditative rhythm
6. 11:15 – sing-song riff into serious horn dialogues, relatively free middle
7. 4:32 – upbeat, moves with an easy gait as horns bounce off each other
8. 6:42 – mysterious groove: horns are elusive, almost alien (for T. Monk)
9. 10:50 – loose sax/drum duet gets real busy, then a sneaky trio with trumpet
10. 5:16 – horns ramble & croon over a coolly detached walking groove
11. 6:27 – quietly exotic with hand drumming & sinuously woven melodic lines
[ Fo ] 03/08/09
Recent airplay
Dreams
The Jazz Hour(s) — Aug 20, 2010
Freedom Theme 3
Memory Select — Apr 24, 2009
Mischievous Mystic
The Heart of KZSU — Apr 01, 2009
Devotion Suite 2 And 3
Reelin' in the Years Jazz Special — Mar 31, 2009
Mischievous Mystic
Music Casserole — Mar 28, 2009
Mischievous Mystic, Riffin' For Eric
Nick's Air Test — Mar 19, 2009
Charting
2009-03-08 — 2009-05-10
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Apr 26 | 1 |
| Apr 5 | 2 |
| Mar 29 | 1 |
| Mar 22 | 2 |
| Mar 15 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Riffin' For Eric | ||
| 2. | Bass Talk | ||
| 3. | Bach To Bird | ||
| 4. | Cy-Cology | ||
| 5. | Devotion Suite 1 | ||
| 6. | Devotion Suite 2 And 3 | ||
| 7. | Devotion Suite 4 | ||
| 8. | Mischievous Mystic | ||
| 9. | Freedom Theme 1 And 2 | ||
| 10. | Freedom Theme 3 | ||
| 11. | Dreams |