Pianist Jacky Terrasson is characteristic of today’s young jazz players. For a time, he seemed determined to capture the kind of piano trio classicism embodied by the likes of Bill Evans, with a developing sense of innate communication with minimalist drummer Leon Parker, and bassist Ugonna Okegwo, culminating in their satisfying live recording Alive. The path has changed for Terrasson this time out however, perhaps owed to sheer restlessness. It’s a shame that Jacky’s generation evidences little interest in developing a real band concept.
All that’s not to condemn the current release; there is indeed a lot to like here as Terrasson has determined to showcase his original compositions performed by a varied cast whose core is Okegwo and drummer Jaz Sawyer. Produced by percussionist Mino Cinelu, Terrasson envelopes himself in rhythms from a variety of cultural sources, engages such disparate voices as harmonica player Gregoire Maret, guitars, electric basses, and tasteful use of keyboards to augment his piano in several instances. These landscaping tools are all in service to an attractive program of pieces, from originals to an arrangement of Ravel’s “Bolero.” Most notable is the comely line “Baby Plum,” which hosts Michael Brecker’s tenor and Richard Bona’s African bass. ~ Willard Jenkins, JazzTimes.com.
Blue Note, 7243 4 98756 2 3,
1999
Recorded 16th-18th
& 27th November, 1998 At Avatar Studios, New York City
Musicians:
Jacky Terrasson - Piano (#1-7,9)
Fender Rhodes (#4,6,9), Organ [Wurlitzer] (#8, Shekere (#9)
Michael Brecker - Tenor
Saxophone (#2,8)
Rick Centalonza - Flute (#1,9),
Oboe (#9)
Jay Collins - Flute (#5,6)
Adam Rogers - Guitar (#1,7)
Ugonna Okegwo - Acoustic Bass
(#2,3,5,6,9)
Fernando Saunders - Electric
Bass (#1,7,9)
Richard Bona - Electric Bass
(#4,8)
Jaz Sawyer - Drums (#2,4,5,6,9)
Mino Cinelu - Drums (#1,3,7
Percussion (#1,2,4,5,7-9), Sounds [Effects] (#6), Guitar (#9)
Gregoire Maret - Harmonica (#5,6)
Xiomara Laugart - Lead Vocals
(#4)
Tracks:
1. Sam's Song {Jacky
Terrasson} (7:28)
2. What's Wrong With You!
{Jacky Terrasson} (5:58)
3. Little Red Ribbon {Jacky
Terrasson} (5:21)
4. Better World {Jacky
Terrasson} (3:01)
5. Toot-Toot's Tune {Jacky
Terrasson} (6:32)
6. Money {Roger Waters}
(4:44)
7. Le Roi Basil {Jacky
Terrasson} (8:35)
8. Baby Plum {Jacky
Terrasson} (5:48)
9. Ravel: Bolero {Maurice
Ravel} (6:36)
Total Time: 54:03
Credits:
Producer, Additional Sound
Effects - Mino Cinelu
Arranger - Jacky Terrasson
Recording (#1,7,9) &
Mixing Engineer - Neil Dorfsman
Recording Engineer - Rob
Eaton (#2-6,8)
Mastering Engineer - Leon
Zarvos
Art Direction, Design -
Jessica Novod
Creative Director - Gordon H
Jee
Management - The Management
Ark
Photography - Barron Claiborne
