Contraband
Jazz
| Mar 2009
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2009-03-29
Reviewed 2009-03-29
CLIFF COLÓN: ContraBand
Hey Phil, 2008
MAINSTREAM JAZZ – OK, here’s something a little different: saxophonist Colón has written a jazz arrangement of the complete soundtrack from Contra, an iconic 1980s video game. It’s played completely straight-faced, in a variety of styles. I’m adding this solely for novelty value but the arrangements aren’t bad, and Colón and alto man J. Charles are both have some pretty good solo moments.
* * * | Fo’s Picks: 2, 5, 7
2. 5:25 – speedy and catchy, sounds suitably video-gamey, solid sax solos
3. 6:10 – floating samba beat; cheesy suspense melody, gliding solos
4. 6:12 – splashy contemporary jazz sound, rolls along nicely
5. 4:02 – uptempo, tightly arranged bop with appealing sax solos
6. 9:44 – moody and atmospheric theme, low-key with relaxed solos
7. 4:25 – snappy, swinging theme, doesn’t take itself too seriously
8. 5:10 – stabbing theme over lightly swinging rhythm, decent solos
9. 4:38 – warm and happy… I guess they killed those aliens.
[ Fo ] 03/29/09
Hey Phil, 2008
MAINSTREAM JAZZ – OK, here’s something a little different: saxophonist Colón has written a jazz arrangement of the complete soundtrack from Contra, an iconic 1980s video game. It’s played completely straight-faced, in a variety of styles. I’m adding this solely for novelty value but the arrangements aren’t bad, and Colón and alto man J. Charles are both have some pretty good solo moments.
* * * | Fo’s Picks: 2, 5, 7
2. 5:25 – speedy and catchy, sounds suitably video-gamey, solid sax solos
3. 6:10 – floating samba beat; cheesy suspense melody, gliding solos
4. 6:12 – splashy contemporary jazz sound, rolls along nicely
5. 4:02 – uptempo, tightly arranged bop with appealing sax solos
6. 9:44 – moody and atmospheric theme, low-key with relaxed solos
7. 4:25 – snappy, swinging theme, doesn’t take itself too seriously
8. 5:10 – stabbing theme over lightly swinging rhythm, decent solos
9. 4:38 – warm and happy… I guess they killed those aliens.
[ Fo ] 03/29/09
Recent airplay
Jungle
No Cover, No Minimum: Saturday Edition — Aug 12, 2017
Jungle
No Cover, No Minimum — Jun 01, 2017
Jungle
No Cover, No Minimum — Apr 27, 2012
Jungle
No Cover, No Minimum — Nov 25, 2011
Energy Zone
Music Casserole — May 30, 2009
Jungle
No Cover, No Minimum — Apr 17, 2009
Charting
2009-03-29 — 2009-05-31
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| May 31 | 1 |
| Apr 19 | 2 |
| Apr 12 | 1 |
| Apr 5 | 2 |
Track listing
| 1. | Intro | ||
| 2. | Jungle | ||
| 3. | Base | ||
| 4. | The Boss | ||
| 5. | Waterfall | ||
| 6. | Snow Field | ||
| 7. | Energy Zone | ||
| 8. | Alien Lair | ||
| 9. | End Credits |