Sam Newsome (Collective Identity) - The Mass (2000) - Young Lions In The Meat Market (Part1/2) | Текст песни

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Collective Identity
The Mass | Palmetto Records

By Glenn Astarita
Glenn Astarita
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The all saxophone quartet, “Collective Identity” was formed due to woodwind specialist Alex Harding’s affinity for the world renowned “World Saxophone Quartet” as this band also features Sam Newsome, Jorge Sylvester and Aaron Stewart. And while the results are somewhat mixed, the band turns in a multidimensional rendition of Wayne Shorter’s classic, “Nefertiti” as they expound upon the primary theme yet also execute spiked choruses amid fervent interplay and a wavering pulse. Baritone saxophonist Alex Harding anchors the odd-metered pulse on the thirteen-minute piece titled, “The World According To Shaquana Goldstein” amid the quartet’s rapid-fire soloing and soft underpinnings yet midway the flow becomes a bit disjointed or blurred. Here, the musicians engage in a haze of boisterous dialogue and scathing lines yet the material at hand takes on the auspices of fragmented themes stitched together which at times, makes for a difficult listening experience. However, the band executes a bluesy theme via fluid, expressive soloing on “Spirit Take My Hand” whereas, the title track, The Mass seems a bit superfluous in spots yet is accented by somber, diminutive themes and lilting choruses.

Overall, the saxophonists perform with passionate fire and emotive enthusiasm and despite a few amorphous segments, these gentlemen pull out the stops on more than one occasion, primarily due to tenacious soloing and a conveyance of joyous sentiment.

* * * (out of * * * * *)

Personnel:

Sam Newsome; Soprano Sax: Jorge Sylvester; Alto Sax: Aaron Stewart; Tenor sax: Alex Harding; Baritone Sax.

Track listing; 1) The World According to Shaquana Goldstein 2) The Mass 3) Remembranza 4) Nefertiti 5) Young Lions In The Meat Market 6) Spirit Take My Hand

(Palmetto Records)

jazz Times

November 2000
Collective Identity
The Mass
Palmetto Records

By Reuben Jackson

If, like me, you find the sound of well-assembled saxophone ensembles not unlike listening to, say, recordings of classic doo-wop groups like the Moonglows, you'll find much to like in Collective Identity, which formed in 1997.
For in addition to the sometimes ruminative, sometimes outre solo contributions by members Sam Newsome (soprano), Jorge Sylvester (alto), Aaron Stewart (tenor) and Alex Harding (baritone), The Mass sports originals such as Harding's title track-its harmonic base is perfect for the sumptuous unison lines the group executes so well.
Equally memorable is an arrangement of fellow saxophonist Wayne Shorter's "Nefertiti" by composer Amadou Diallo, in which Shorter's mysterious, elegant theme is slowly and lovingly unfurled-each player reveling in their contributions, and Shorter's harmonic and melodic shadows.
Most highly recommended.