Reuben Hoch - Of Recent Time
Posted by: Simon Drake on 05 January 2007
Reuben Hoch - Of Recent Time
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"As a side project to his ongoing Chassidic Jazz Project, drummer Hoch has put together this marvelous, highly interactive trio featuring bassist Ed Schuller and the great veteran pianist Don Friedman. An intelligent, reliable timekeeper and intuitive colorist on the kit, Hoch acquits himself nicely with requisite swing factor throughout this session while eagerly commenting on the proceedings with sly accents and well-placed percussive statements. He conjures the spirit of Elvin Jones in his rolling-thunder approach to "Yes and No"Š He also contributes the luminous rubato composition "Turnaround" which showcases Hoch's deft brushwork. Kudos also to engineer Ken Christianson, who was able to capture an organic, very present sound. His unique production truly captures the intimacy and magic that happened on this vibrant session." - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
"That Mr. Hoch allows Friedman so much space speaks volumes about him as both a musician and a man. He knows the best way to present works of art - he knows precisely what the drums are all about in the scheme of things, whether the band leader or not. the combination of tremendous playing and state-of-the-art redbook recording makes this release a 'must purchase' on many levels. One of the top one-percent sonic achievements, matched by the supreme quality of the playing." - Birney K. Brown, Audiophile Audition
"Throughout, the trio locks in for cohesion. Reuben Hoch proves himself an adept colorist and a superbly vibrant timekeeper, and Friedman has a flexible approach to the piano, evoking an understated elegance on Hoch's "Ballad for Nori," an edgy crispness on "Turnaround," and cool, boppish grooves in front of Ed Schuller's solid bass lines on his original "Flamands." A first-rate set." - Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
"Of Recent Time presents a pleasingly consistent program, with modern leanings. The trio's improvisations are free enough to excite but grounded enough that the swing isn't lost in the flood. Each member brings something unique to the recording and the band benefits greatly from the strength of each player. This is a trio that plays as one." - Dave Miele, Jazz Improv Magazine
"ŠListening to Ed singing along with his solos and Don establishing rhythmic melodies, it is easy to engage. But the underlying glue comes from the timekeeper, leader and inspiration for the band, Mr. Hoch. And the sound is exquisite!" - D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Newsletter
"Pop culture has become such a noisy place and contentious place, we forget there was a time when good taste was considered a desirable quality. Band leader and drummer Reuben Hoch remembers and has brought along pianist Don Friedman and bassist Ed Schuller, who also remember when being sophisticated was synonymous with being cool. Hoch harkens back to drummers who would actually listen to the other members of the band, adding a symbol swish or accent on the bass pedal to give the sound a heightened pulse." - Chuck Graham, Tucson Citizen
"As a programme with works by Rivers, Metheny, Mehldau and Shorter would suggest, this enjoyable trio, led by drummer Hoch, has a contemporary fluidity in its approach to time and harmonyŠit's a relatively straight-ahead ensemble, with well-crafted performances embracing a variety of moods: lyrical on Kuhn's "Poem for No 15", grooving on Friedman's "Flamands", and the pianist leading an exhilarating charge on Shorter's "Yes and No." - Ray Comiskey, Irish Times
"Hoch is probably best known as the founder and leader of the Chassidic Jazz Project, but this trio with pianist Don Friedman and bassist Ed Schuller provides a quieter showcase for his drumming. The result is a frisky, brisk set, with all three musicians shining brightly, an energetic reminder of the flexibility and creativity possible in the classic trio format." Rating: **** - George Robinson, Jewish Week
"The playing is compact, giving rein to improvisation that stays in the mood while adding enough tonality to render the proceedings interesting. Reuben Hoch pegs the rhythm into the groove, and when the time comes, he elevates it to ferment the mood... Don Friedman shapes and kindles the melody, presaging an agile mind that turns into unseen corners with a nice little twist. Ed Schuller has always been one for whom the bass is an eloquent voice, vibrant and resonant in its myriad hues the three work comfortably together, which makes this mainstream take a delight." - Jerry D'Souza, All About Jazz
"Drummer Reuben Hoch takes his trio on a tour of straightahead jazz with Of Recent Time, providing an opportunity for each of the three artists to stretch out creatively over familiar terrain. The session takes on a flowing ambience that runs seamlessly over mainstream territory. Pianist Don Friedman interprets with a lyrical glowŠ Bassist Ed Schuller solos frequently with a fascinating outlookŠReuben Hoch and Time draw upon an established circle of musical adventures to broaden the scope and to say it with class in the straightahead world." - Jim Santella, All About Jazz
Happy new year to you all!
Simon
In The News Update! Click here to BUY NOW
"As a side project to his ongoing Chassidic Jazz Project, drummer Hoch has put together this marvelous, highly interactive trio featuring bassist Ed Schuller and the great veteran pianist Don Friedman. An intelligent, reliable timekeeper and intuitive colorist on the kit, Hoch acquits himself nicely with requisite swing factor throughout this session while eagerly commenting on the proceedings with sly accents and well-placed percussive statements. He conjures the spirit of Elvin Jones in his rolling-thunder approach to "Yes and No"Š He also contributes the luminous rubato composition "Turnaround" which showcases Hoch's deft brushwork. Kudos also to engineer Ken Christianson, who was able to capture an organic, very present sound. His unique production truly captures the intimacy and magic that happened on this vibrant session." - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes
"That Mr. Hoch allows Friedman so much space speaks volumes about him as both a musician and a man. He knows the best way to present works of art - he knows precisely what the drums are all about in the scheme of things, whether the band leader or not. the combination of tremendous playing and state-of-the-art redbook recording makes this release a 'must purchase' on many levels. One of the top one-percent sonic achievements, matched by the supreme quality of the playing." - Birney K. Brown, Audiophile Audition
"Throughout, the trio locks in for cohesion. Reuben Hoch proves himself an adept colorist and a superbly vibrant timekeeper, and Friedman has a flexible approach to the piano, evoking an understated elegance on Hoch's "Ballad for Nori," an edgy crispness on "Turnaround," and cool, boppish grooves in front of Ed Schuller's solid bass lines on his original "Flamands." A first-rate set." - Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
"Of Recent Time presents a pleasingly consistent program, with modern leanings. The trio's improvisations are free enough to excite but grounded enough that the swing isn't lost in the flood. Each member brings something unique to the recording and the band benefits greatly from the strength of each player. This is a trio that plays as one." - Dave Miele, Jazz Improv Magazine
"ŠListening to Ed singing along with his solos and Don establishing rhythmic melodies, it is easy to engage. But the underlying glue comes from the timekeeper, leader and inspiration for the band, Mr. Hoch. And the sound is exquisite!" - D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Newsletter
"Pop culture has become such a noisy place and contentious place, we forget there was a time when good taste was considered a desirable quality. Band leader and drummer Reuben Hoch remembers and has brought along pianist Don Friedman and bassist Ed Schuller, who also remember when being sophisticated was synonymous with being cool. Hoch harkens back to drummers who would actually listen to the other members of the band, adding a symbol swish or accent on the bass pedal to give the sound a heightened pulse." - Chuck Graham, Tucson Citizen
"As a programme with works by Rivers, Metheny, Mehldau and Shorter would suggest, this enjoyable trio, led by drummer Hoch, has a contemporary fluidity in its approach to time and harmonyŠit's a relatively straight-ahead ensemble, with well-crafted performances embracing a variety of moods: lyrical on Kuhn's "Poem for No 15", grooving on Friedman's "Flamands", and the pianist leading an exhilarating charge on Shorter's "Yes and No." - Ray Comiskey, Irish Times
"Hoch is probably best known as the founder and leader of the Chassidic Jazz Project, but this trio with pianist Don Friedman and bassist Ed Schuller provides a quieter showcase for his drumming. The result is a frisky, brisk set, with all three musicians shining brightly, an energetic reminder of the flexibility and creativity possible in the classic trio format." Rating: **** - George Robinson, Jewish Week
"The playing is compact, giving rein to improvisation that stays in the mood while adding enough tonality to render the proceedings interesting. Reuben Hoch pegs the rhythm into the groove, and when the time comes, he elevates it to ferment the mood... Don Friedman shapes and kindles the melody, presaging an agile mind that turns into unseen corners with a nice little twist. Ed Schuller has always been one for whom the bass is an eloquent voice, vibrant and resonant in its myriad hues the three work comfortably together, which makes this mainstream take a delight." - Jerry D'Souza, All About Jazz
"Drummer Reuben Hoch takes his trio on a tour of straightahead jazz with Of Recent Time, providing an opportunity for each of the three artists to stretch out creatively over familiar terrain. The session takes on a flowing ambience that runs seamlessly over mainstream territory. Pianist Don Friedman interprets with a lyrical glowŠ Bassist Ed Schuller solos frequently with a fascinating outlookŠReuben Hoch and Time draw upon an established circle of musical adventures to broaden the scope and to say it with class in the straightahead world." - Jim Santella, All About Jazz
Happy new year to you all!
Simon