Urban Myths
Reviews
Fo
Reviewed 2009-08-29
Reviewed 2009-08-29
JOEL HARRISON: Urban Myths
HighNote, 2009
MODERN JAZZ – Forward-thinking guitarist Harrison looks back to the world of 1970s electric fusion -- as he says, “that playground where jazz, funk, rock and blues are one.” The tunes here fit that description, but avoid flash and glam stereotypes, instead updating and expanding the textures, rhythms and colliding strains that made fusion innovative and exciting in the first place. Off-center harmonies hang from catchy circular frameworks, as his quirky electro-acoustic band explores the space within and beyond the grooves. Good stuff.
* * * * | Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8
1. 6:35 – uptempo pulse, soaring theme: angular violin; sax arcs, loops, blazes
2. 6:06 – sneaky midtempo groove: spacey keyboard, dirty rockin’ guitar
3. 11:18 – brooding, sinister pulse warped by tempo shifts and oblique harmonies; guitar sneers and sings, sax puzzles and spins
4. 7:58 – shuffling ballad: a quiet country feel gives way to hot bluesy soul
5. 6:19 – funkified deconstruction of a Monk tune: darting, skittering, elusive
6. 8:43 – modular, episodic: rising theme, pretty piano, lyrical sax, spins down
7. 5:00 – upbeat funky strut gets thoughtful w/violin solo, then flies into space
8. 3:35 – uptempo punk-jazz romp: doesn’t go as far as it could, but it’s fun
[ Fo ] 08/29/09
HighNote, 2009
MODERN JAZZ – Forward-thinking guitarist Harrison looks back to the world of 1970s electric fusion -- as he says, “that playground where jazz, funk, rock and blues are one.” The tunes here fit that description, but avoid flash and glam stereotypes, instead updating and expanding the textures, rhythms and colliding strains that made fusion innovative and exciting in the first place. Off-center harmonies hang from catchy circular frameworks, as his quirky electro-acoustic band explores the space within and beyond the grooves. Good stuff.
* * * * | Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8
1. 6:35 – uptempo pulse, soaring theme: angular violin; sax arcs, loops, blazes
2. 6:06 – sneaky midtempo groove: spacey keyboard, dirty rockin’ guitar
3. 11:18 – brooding, sinister pulse warped by tempo shifts and oblique harmonies; guitar sneers and sings, sax puzzles and spins
4. 7:58 – shuffling ballad: a quiet country feel gives way to hot bluesy soul
5. 6:19 – funkified deconstruction of a Monk tune: darting, skittering, elusive
6. 8:43 – modular, episodic: rising theme, pretty piano, lyrical sax, spins down
7. 5:00 – upbeat funky strut gets thoughtful w/violin solo, then flies into space
8. 3:35 – uptempo punk-jazz romp: doesn’t go as far as it could, but it’s fun
[ Fo ] 08/29/09
Recent airplay
Between The Traveler And The Setting Sun
No Cover, No Minimum — Nov 09, 2017
High Expectation Low Return
No Cover, No Minimum — May 11, 2012
Urban Myths
Memory Select — Oct 27, 2009
You Must Go Through A Winter
... Over the Hump (or "Sunshine in the Afternoon") — Oct 21, 2009
High Expectation Low Return
Memory Select — Oct 20, 2009
Between The Traveler And The Setting Sun
Music Casserole — Oct 17, 2009
Charting
2009-08-30 — 2009-11-01
Jazz
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Nov 1 | 1 |
| Oct 25 | 2 |
| Oct 18 | 2 |
| Oct 11 | 1 |
| Oct 4 | 3 |
| Sep 27 | 5 |
| Sep 20 | 1 |
| Sep 13 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | You Must Go Through A Winter | ||
| 2. | 125 And Lenox | ||
| 3. | Mood Rodeo | ||
| 4. | Last Waltz For Queva | ||
| 5. | Straight No Chaser (Variations) | ||
| 6. | Between The Traveler And The Setting Sun | ||
| 7. | Urban Myths | ||
| 8. | High Expectation Low Return |