Jaleel Shaw: Flipside
Musicians:
Jaleel Shaw (alto sax), Robert Glasper (piano), Lage Lund (guitar), Jonathan Blake (drums),
Joe Martin (bass)
.Composed by Jaleel Shaw
.Recorded: Brooklyn NY, June 25-26 2007
Rating: 93/100 (learn more)
"Flipside” won for Shaw his second ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s Award and it’s not that difficult to make out why. It’s high-octane post-bop that veers around short, arpeggiated constructions, abruptly changing time signatures, slinky unison lines and frantic but controlled energy. It’s not the kind of tune that will sound good if the musicians playing it don’t have the chops for it. Luckily, these cats do.
The composition leaves plenty of space for stretching out, too, and everyone save for Martin gets a solo turn. Shaw begins with syncopated ascending and descending notes, Glasper comes next with some inspired middle register right-hand runs and Blake rolls and rumbles Blakey-style on his kit. Lund gets the spotlight right at the end, playing in a very fluid style that appropriately brings the song to a soft landing.
When a song is this well constructed, good musicians will want to play harder for it. “Flipside” is that kind of song which inspired everyone to work their butts off.
Reviewer: S. Victor Aaron
Tags: 2000s jazz
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