James Farm

James Farm
Nonesuch Records
Jazz | May 2011

Reviews

Fo
Reviewed 2011-05-01
JAMES FARM: James Farm
Nonesuch, 2011

MODERN JAZZ – Debut recording by an all-star quartet (Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman, Eric Harland) with a song-based approach that sometimes hints vaguely at instrumental rock, electronica or other genres but holds the acoustic jazz line, thus keeping things quite interesting but also easily digestible. All four musicians contribute original compositions.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8

1. 7:09 – brooding pulse: resolute theme, minimalist piano break, sax brightens it
2. 8:22 – catchy tune, perky rhythm, shifts to rolling groove: great piano & drums
3. 4:16 – a folksy, lazy afternoon feel: sax is lyrical and soulful, piano takes it easy
4. 8:58 – moody but forceful: contrasting emotions create uncomfortable tension
5. 7:15 – slow ‘n’ bluesy, speeds up for upbeat sax solo, but falls back for bass
6. 8:50 – sing-song melody rolls forward, solos steam ahead, then it drifts away…
7. 4:31 – hot drums with effects: sax solo gets tense, dirty keyboard sprawls
8. 5:52 – midnight ballad, mysterious and pensive; good bass solo
9. 6:53 – drone intro, oddly dancing tune mixes postbop stroll and soaring breaks
10. 7:01 – quiet melancholy: solos for tender bass, aching piano, bittersweet sax

[ Fo ] 05/01/11

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Charting

2011-05-01 — 2011-07-03 Jazz
Week EndingAirplays
Jun 26 2
Jun 12 4
Jun 5 1
May 29 2
May 22 2
May 15 3
May 8 2

Track listing

1. Coax
2. Polliwog
3. Bijou
4. Chronos
5. Star Crossed
6. 1981
7. I-10
8. Unravel
9. If By Air
10. Low Fives