CD Reviews: Mike Clinco “Neon”
|
Posted by: editoron Friday, May 29, 2009 - 09:20 AM |
|
By: Edward Blanco
One of the finest session guitarist in the Los Angeles area, Mike Clinco sculpts a sparkling modern jazz masterpiece with “Neon,” leading a stellar cast of artists that include saxophonist extraordinaire Bob Sheppard, Walt Fowler on flugelhorn, bassist Derek “Oles” Oleszkiewicz, electric bass man Jimmy Johnson and Jimmy Branly rounding out the cast on drums. Except for Henry Mancini's “Charade,” which Clinco treats with a measure of grace and style, the selection of music are all original compositions penned with a progressive modern jazz slant.
The disc kicks off with a mild and relaxing composition in “Bookends” featuring Clinco's crisp chords on the electric guitar guiding the direction of the music and providing ample space for Sheppard's fluid sax line. The title tune, “Neon,” is a bit on the melancholy side revealing a dark tone to the music but nevertheless manages to shine through as one of the better tunes. In contrast, Clinco's “X Cue Says” opens up with a bursts of aggressive energy cut in a rich progressive jazz/rock style.
The music returns to a more mellow mode on the delicate and sprawling “Daydream” providing bassist Oles with an opportunity to showcase his chops while Clinco and Sheppard share softer moments with light solos. One of the best pieces of the album is the warm Brazilian flavored “Amalgam” where Clinco takes to the acoustic guitar delivering one very sweet solo. The session ends with trumpeter Fowler weighing in with a solid solo performance on the finale “The rest Will Follow” completing a superb musical statement from Clinco.
With the plethora of jazz guitarist releasing new music these days, it's refreshing to hear the music of Mike Clinco's “Neon,” for it's sophistication, brilliant compositions and quality of musicianship—together elevating this recording to one of the elite jazz guitar albums of the year.
Year:2009
Label: Whaling City Sound
Artist Web: www.mikeclinco.com
|
|
/images/spacer.gif) |
| |
|
