Soundtrack to Human Motion [Soundtrack]

Soundtrack to Human Motion [Soundtrack]

Soundtrack to Human Motion [Soundtrack]

ASIN: B00000ID4K

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This 20-something, Houston-born pianist emerged on the jazz scene with his brilliant work on alto-soprano saxophonist Greg Osby's recordings Zero and Banned in New York. With this debut, Moran is joined by Osby, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and drummer Eric Harland. What makes Moran stand out from his peers is the influence of the great pianist Andrew Hill, whose complex and elliptical pianisms effortlessly straddle the boundaries of mainstream and avant-garde styles. Moran adopts and updates Hill's musical conception well, as evidenced by the snaky melodic lines of "Gangsterism on Canvas," "Snake Stance," and "Kinetics." "Retrograde" constructs and deconstructs a 4/4 groove, and "Aquanaut" pulses with Moran's cascading harmonic waves that give it the déjà-vu vibe of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman." "JAMO Meets SAMO" is a quirky, aural take on the paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, while the highlight of the CD is "Le Tombeau de Couperin/States of Art," a heartfelt reading of Maurice Ravel's French impressionist classic that segues into Moran's own equally impressive, trio-formatted composition. --Eugene Holley Jr.

From Jazziz
Pianist Jason Moran made his recorded debut on saxophonist Greg Osby's 1997 Blue Note release, Further Ado. It was an auspicious moment all around: For Osby, one of mainstream-jazz's brightest and most influential young leaders, it announced a sideman who the saxophonist praised as "made to order" for his challenging ideals. For Blue Note Records, it hinted at how forcefully the label's legacy would extend into the future. And on his 1999 debut for the label, Soundtrack to Human Motion, Moran delivered on that promise with what he calls a "dream band": Osby, vibist Stefon Harris (who has emerged as a Blue Note leader as well), bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and drummer Eric Harland.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Soundtrack to Human Motion,Jason Moran,Blue Note Records,Contemporary Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop
Soundtrack to Human Motion
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A beguiling debut
  • Great C.D.!
  • Highly Overrated CD
  • Incredible!!!
  • Great
 Soundtrack to Human Motion
Jason Moran
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop GeneralBebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern PostbebopModern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Bebop & Post-BopBebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Blue Note RecordsBlue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Facing Left
  2. Black Stars
  3. The Bandwagon
  4. Same Mother
  5. Modernistic

ASIN: B00000ID4K
Release Date: 1999-04-06

Tracks:

  1. Gangsterism On Canvas
  2. Snake Stance
  3. Le Tombeau De Couperin/States Of Art
  4. Still Moving
  5. JAMO Meets SAMO
  6. Kinesics
  7. Aquanaut
  8. Retrograde
  9. Release From Suffering
  10. Root Progression

Amazon.com

This 20-something, Houston-born pianist emerged on the jazz scene with his brilliant work on alto-soprano saxophonist Greg Osby's recordings Zero and Banned in New York. With this debut, Moran is joined by Osby, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and drummer Eric Harland. What makes Moran stand out from his peers is the influence of the great pianist Andrew Hill, whose complex and elliptical pianisms effortlessly straddle the boundaries of mainstream and avant-garde styles. Moran adopts and updates Hill's musical conception well, as evidenced by the snaky melodic lines of "Gangsterism on Canvas," "Snake Stance," and "Kinetics." "Retrograde" constructs and deconstructs a 4/4 groove, and "Aquanaut" pulses with Moran's cascading harmonic waves that give it the déjà-vu vibe of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman." "JAMO Meets SAMO" is a quirky, aural take on the paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, while the highlight of the CD is "Le Tombeau de Couperin/States of Art," a heartfelt reading of Maurice Ravel's French impressionist classic that segues into Moran's own equally impressive, trio-formatted composition. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars A beguiling debut.......2000-03-21

I'd recently come across a mention of this disc by Ben Ratliff in the NY Times as the best jazz release of 1999. I was particularly intrigued to discover that Andrew Hill is among Moran's main influences.

Listening to the disc, I think it's an excellent effort, but can't quite bring myself to rate it as highly as Ratliff (my own vote for best jazz disc of 1999, by the way, would have to go to Paul Bley's _Not Two, Not One_). It's a truly beautiful disc, rather cooler in temperature than the Hill influence would suggest. In fact there's perhaps as much Herbie Hancock as Hill in the mix (though the track "Aquanaut" overtly pays tribute to Hill's _Smokestack_ by combining bowed and plucked bass--I assume that unless there's an uncredited extra bassist on the album Lonnie Plaxico has overdubbed the arco). The understatement may appeal more to other listeners than to me; myself, I would like to hear Moran in a more explosive context, say with Ralph Peterson on drums & a more idiosyncratic saxophonist than Osby. There are some pretty stunning moments though: try "Snake Stance" or "Retrograde" for instance. OK, Mr Moran, let's see what your next disc is like....

5 out of 5 stars Great C.D.!.......2000-02-22

This c.d. absolutely moves me.The melodies stay with me constantly, and I find something new and wonderful with each listen.Jason, has his own style which is incredibly challenging yet simple.I put this c.d. on and it grooves from start to finish, it goes down like a cold glass of water on a very hot day! As a jazz fan, I get really excited when I hear young guys playing with so much heart and soul. Keep it up Jason, keep bringing great music like this along with Greg Osby, Stefon Harris, Mark Shim you guys give me hope and put a big smile on my face. THANK YOU!

1 out of 5 stars Highly Overrated CD.......2000-01-06

I've been an avid jazz listener for 20 years now. I was influenced to purchase this CD from the outstanding reviews it received in several publications. I was highly disappointed after listening to Jason Moran's debut CD. This is a very bland performance. I don't know what the critics heard, but they must all be amateurs to give this CD such high praise. Its obvious to me that the record companys are paying critics to write favorable reviews. Jason Moran, like so many other "Young Lions" have no business recording as a leader. His compositional skills are one dimensional. He has potential from listening to him perform on other recordings, but he is certainly not ready for the leadership role. I'm not trying to trash him as a musician; I just think that he needs a lot more seasoning before he returns to the studio for his sophomore recording. Ten years maybe.

5 out of 5 stars Incredible!!!.......1999-10-06

This CD seamlessly flows and works its way into the soul. I feel inspired to higher thoughts each time I listen, and I find myself humming the tune to "Aquanaut" randomly throughout the day. You will certainly not be disappointed if you purchase this CD.

5 out of 5 stars Great.......1999-04-28

The creativity flows, this is great...this is a wonderful first CD..and would be a wonderful second or third CD...in fact, it is just a wonderful CD...a new jazz fan??? give this a try...it'll leave you longing for more jazz...

Jazz Music:

  1. Standards
  2. Stardust [Import] [Limited Edition]
  3. State of Art [Import]
  4. Thats Right
  5. The Dissection and Reconstruction of Music from the Past as Performed by the Inmates... [Import]
  6. The Marc Atkinson Trio [Import]
  7. Thieves and Poets
  8. Toshiko's Piano [Original recording remastered] [Import]
  9. Triphony
  10. Vol. 1-2-Approach [Import]

Jazz Music

Jazz Music