Songs Of Our Fathers

Jazz | Apr 2009

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2009-05-17
AARON J. JOHNSON: Songs Of Our Fathers
Bubble Sun, 2009

HARD BOP – The debut release from this veteran trombone sideman doesn’t mess around. Johnson digs in with a solid quintet and nine original tunes, all in a classic hardbop/postbop vein. Quite enjoyable.

Aaron J. Johnson - trombone, shells
Salim Washington - tenor sax, flute, oboe
Onaje Allan Gumbs - piano
Victor Lewis - drums
Robert Sabin - bass

* * * | Fo’s Picks: 5 & 9 … 1, 2, 8 also good

1. 7:10 – straight up bop burner: trombone lays it down, sax tears it up
2. 5:10 – midtempo stroll: horns take it easy, cool-breeze piano adds soul
3. 7:40 – easygoing, gospel-tinged groove: swings nicely, flute & bass solos
4. 11:49 – warmly spiritual 1970s vibe, sax carries it aloft, conch shell solo
5. 8:20 – catchy, folksy melody; solos are cheerful and the rhythm just clicks
6. 7:53 – solid, steady groove: sharp oboe puts a unique spin on it
7. 6:34 – rolling jazz-samba: sunny sound, but with a hint of melancholy
8. 7:26 – happy march, fun drums & piano on this one; bass gets down
9. 9:28 – oooh… a sweet, soulful vibe you can just fall into, with great solos.
10. 6:08 – Joe Henderson classic, maybe a bit too fast for the band

[ Fo ] 05/17/09

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Charting

2009-05-24 — 2009-07-26 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jul 26 1
Jul 19 1
Jul 12 1
Jul 5 1
Jun 21 2
Jun 7 1
May 31 1

Track listing

1. A Fuller Life
2. The Message
3. Cannonball
4. So Long/I Can Wait
5. Folk Forms
6. Reconstruction (Minus 1)
7. Yes, You May
8. Big Fun Blues
9. Shamba
10. Our Thing