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Personnel: Andrew Cheshire - guitar Rich Perry - tenor sax Kurt Weiss - trumpet Ron McClure - bass Jeff Hirshfield - drums Recorded 5/6/97 Cover Art: Andrew Cheshire **************************************************************** Guitarist Andrew Cheshire's second release stands out from the crowd by virtue of his distinctive original compositions, as well as individual contributions that bring out some magical group interaction. Cheshire had apparently planned to play the date on acoustic guitar, but decided at the last minute to go with a solid-body electric. It was a fortuitous choice. While the tunes themselves recall the more adventurous side of the classic Blue Note era, they have an open, airy feel that also brings to mind Kenny Wheelers writing. Cheshire's warm chords mix with single notes that are quietly sustained, bent, and whammied into vapor trails that Ron McClure inhales and feeds back to Rich Perry's warmly volatile tenor, and Kurt Weiss' flexible, singing trumpet. Jeff Hershfeild's masterful control of dynamics on drums rounds out a wonderfully cohesive group, all the more amazing given the fact that this band had never played together before. What's more, the date took all of five hours to finish, with first takes predominating. You'd never know it from the results; this sounds like a working unit, everyone shining in his own right, their individual lights refracting and making the leaders writing resonate with uncommonly sympathetic, graceful interpretations. Strongly recommended. - Larry Nai, Cadence **************************************************************** Andrew Cheshire's quintet captures the essence of straight-ahead jazz as only the best have done these past few decades. His compositions feature the familiar sounds we remember; however, they're updated by his stellar electric guitar labors. The guitarist relies on a vocal-like articulation that appears to have roots in the blues. Gentle slides, fluctuating harmonic sprays, and free-flowing phrases characterize much of his work on this session. Cheshire has finely-honed technical skills on his instrument; yet he shares the bandstand equally with the others. Tenor saxophonist Rich Perry combines a fluid articulation with his softened tone. Like Joe Henderson, he spins a solo gracefully and teams with the trumpeter for synchronized melodies. Trumpeter Kurt Weiss favors a ballad approach that he freely mixes with inspired motion. His crystal-clear tone and precise articulation take second chair to his half-valve expressions, bent notes, and fiery but quiet outbursts. "Earth Dance" is a prime example of Cheshire's work. On it the ride cymbal, walking bass, and guitar chords set the stage as improvised solos pour forth from the leader and his saxophonist partner. Tenor sax and trumpet pair up on the tune's head for a clean-sounding statement of the melody, and in-between, the ensemble manages to stir the offering considerably. Highly Recommended. - Jim Santella, All About Jazz **************************************************************** Check out the artist's website: http://www.andrewcheshire.com Track List: 1. Another View 2. Tomorrow Is Today 3. Earth Dance 4. Eva 5. Secrets 6. Saturn 7. Diverge 8. Love Planet Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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