Steve Adelson The New Sticket
The Answer's Inside
Produced by Jazzheads Catalog: JH1143
(Released in 2004)
Genre: Jazz
Reviewer: Shane Mattson
Review Conducted on: 4/8/2006
Musicians:
Steve Adelson - Chapman Stick™ and MIDI
Stick (all tracks)
Dennis Moorman - Piano (tracks 1,2,3,4,6)
Alan Bates - Steel Pans (tracks 1,3)
Bryan Carrott - Vibraphone (track 4)
Larry Coryell - Guitar (track 6)
Tony Levin - Chapman Stick (track 7)
Nydia "Liberty" Mata - Congas, Bongos, Percussion (tracks 1,3,4)
Matt Wilson - Drums (tracks 2,5,6)
Vince Cherico - Drums (tracks 1,3,4)
Jerry Marotta - Drums (track 7)
Brewmaster "Improv" - Vocals (track 8)
About Steve:
From Steve's web site: "Steve began his career as a
guitarist, founding his Brooklyn, New York school, The Guitar Workshop in 1977. While
teaching and performing in the New York area with other guitar masters like Joe Pass,
Jimmy Ponder and Jack Wilkins, Steve got his first introduction to the Stick through a
meeting with Emmett Chapman at a guitar expo in 1983.
Recognizing the great potential of the instrument, he purchased his first Stick in
1984, and has focused his performance activities on it ever since.
Adelson has performed at clubs, festivals and conventions all over the U.S., and has
conducted seminars and workshops on the Stick in various U.S. cities and in Italy.
He is also a regular contributor and columnist for Twentieth Century Guitar Magazine."
Evaluation
Audio System
Click
here for a detailed description.
Introduction
In this world of heavily compressed pop
recordings I'm always in search of fresh, wonderfully recorded quality music.
Finding Steve Adelson was by pure accident, and quite a blessing. One evening a few
months ago I was switching back and forth between Satellite and cable television and came
across Steve's trio performing on a local access cable television program. What
immediately caught my attention was this peculiar guitar like instrument in Steve's hands
called the Chapman Stick, designed by Emmett Chapman in 1970. Unlike a conventional
guitar where strings are plucked, the "Chapman Stick is played using a two handed
tapping technique allowing the player to play two musical ideas simultaneously", as
stated on Steve Adelson's web site. For more information on this intriguing,
unconventional instrument, click here.
I was so taken aback by the televised
performance of Steve's trio that I contacted him the next day via email and asked if he
would be interested in having www.soundreproduction.com
conduct a review of his latest CD. He graciously accepted!
Steve Adelson's
Music
Steve's latest CD, "The Answer's
Inside" contains a mix of traditional and contemporary jazz combined with
progressive, ethnic rhythmic elements.
Track 1: Tone Eleven
Listening notes:
This up-tempo opening track features Alan
Bates on the Steel Pans. What I like about this Latin influenced tune are the
extremely tight bass lines masterfully laid down on the Stick by Steve. Right from
the start Steve proves how versatile the Stick can be, providing the foundation in the
bass in one hand and laying down the harmonic chord structure using the other.
The improvisations amongst musicians varied
in complexity. The piano solo by Dennis Moorman was rather safe sounding, staying
within a constricted harmonic space making it rather uneventful however Dennis's comping
was excellent, and his attention to what other soloers were doing by responding
melodically was brilliant.
Steve's soloing on this track was a bit more
laid back than other tracks on the album as if he wanted the opening tune to amplify the
talents of the other musicians, apart from himself. As you get further into the
album however, Steve truly shows how much talent he himself possesses.
Track 2: Tap Dance
Listening notes:
The opening bass riff sets the tone to this
mesmerizing, smooth flowing medium-swing tune. Steve's sound on the Stick carries
that ultra-smooth jazz-cat Gibson guitar sound that fits perfectly into this format.
Dennis Moorman on piano sounds like a completely different player on this
track. His solo improvisation provides plenty of space in the beginning that drew me
in, waiting for each and every upcoming phrase. As the solo becomes increasingly
complex, the lines keep flowing freely and creatively...what chops!
Steve's ultra-smooth feel makes this tune a
winner. All musicians on this track listen extremely well to each other, reinforcing
one another's creativity. I was very impressed.
Track 3: The Answer Is Free
Listening notes:
This up-tempo Frank Zappa-ish jazz/rock tune
highlights Nydia's conga and bongo playing. This girl can play! Despite the
fact that the drummer, Vince Cherico absolutely tore this one apart with his outstanding
chops, I could not stop focusing on Nydia's conga playing.
This tune moves quickly and features a
complex, exciting piano solo by Dennis supported by Steve's tight, progressive bass
lines.
Listening to this composition will take you
out there, away from a conventional medley structure into a realm that only those with a
true appreciation of music will understand.
Track 4: Fran's Mambo
Listening notes:
This mambo influenced tune once again
highlights Nydia's playing abilities. Her fills are explosive! I thought
that Steve's phrasing during the main melody and solo somewhat mimicked Pat Metheny's
playing style, with the way in which the notes were stuck and their decay at the end of
each phrase .
The vibe solo by Bryan Carrott was
outstanding. Listening to a great vibe player illustrates the freshness vibes can
bring to a tune. This tune had me swaying from side to side in my listening
chair. You can tell that the piano player, Dennis Moorman loved the changes on this
tune, for his playing was confident and commanding hitting each harmonic shift and key
change with ease.
Again, Nydia's sense of rhythm will amaze
you. Her solo after Dennis's is authentic, tight and moving. The drummer,
Vince Cherico allows Nydia to express herself by using off-rhythms that sound precisely
placed within the tight, steady canvas of drumming.
Steve's Stick playing in conjunction with
the piano and vibe comping keeps this tune flowing as everyone begins to let lose towards
the end. A killer track!
Track 5: Sea Miner
Listening notes:
The opening swing laid down by drummer Matt
Wilson along with the upper register melody played by Steve was incredibly tight.
Steve shows what he is capable of by slapping incredibly creative improvisational phrasing
over his driving bass lines. Man this guy is good! A killer trio with only two
players! Steve's chops are finally displayed on this track.
Since this is Steve's featured album, this
tune should have been positioned as track number 1 or 2 to introduce his amazing ability
earlier on in the Album.
Matt is one heck of a drummer.
"Sea Miner" was one of my favorites.
Track 6: Nadda Chants (9 on 12)
Listening notes:
This aggressive sounding acoustic jazz piece
features mastermind guitarist Larry Coryell, man can this guy play. His dry, aggressive tone
cuts through like a knife with authority. Direct note from my listening session:
"Chops up the Ying yang..."
Dennis Moorman on piano proves he has what
it takes on this track. His improv lines are marvelous and his use of symmetrical
diminished phrasing and pentatonic patterns show he's got the stuff a great piano player
needs as a foundation to ultra creativity.
Steve's walking bass lines are
extraordinary. Not only does he lay down some incredibly complex bass lines, he
brilliantly solos on top of them with the other hand at the same time! Solo piano
players know how frustrating it can be to free their mind during improvisation while
trying to maintain a steady and creative bass line using their left hand. To hear
Steve effortlessly play two parts on the Stick is quite an experience.
The exchange between Steve and Larry towards
the end of the track was like two sports cars battling for the open road. Both
differing styles sound outstanding layered on top of each other....I was very impressed
with this track!
Track 7: Woodstick Suite
Listening notes:
Tony Levin is featured in more of a support role on this wonderfully
melodic, mysterious feeling tune. The tone of this track is one of uncertainty,
allowing the listener to escape into the abyss of reflection. Very smooth riffs
allow this track to breath a bit until approximately 3:40 into the track when the pace
picks up and Steve begins to lay down some very creative improv.
As with all other tracks on this CD, Steve's
creative bass lines are extremely tight and controlled.
Jerry Marotta on
drums is outstanding!
Track 8: Do You Want That Rapped?
Listening notes:
I didn't quite understand the point of this
30 second rap tune. Track 7 would have been a much better closing tune.
Note from Steve regarding this track:
"...it was just a goofy thing for some levity. Wasn't meant to be taken
seriously."
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for some fresh, well
recorded innovative jazz music, I highly recommend this album. The level of
musicianship portrayed on this record will surely impress, and the complexity of the
writing should keep your interest track after track. I was impressed, and if you
have an appreciation for real, quality music, I know you will be too.
For more information visit: www.steveadelson.com
Happy Listening!
Shane Mattson
Founder, www.soundreproduction.com
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