Take The Z Train ( Koch Jazz)
A release, for the first time on CD, of "Take The Z Train,"
the first Microscopic Septet record, originally released on Press Records
in 1983.
Includes one new tune, "Kelly Grows Up," not on the original LP.
Phillip Johnston - soprano saxophone.
Don Davis - alto saxophone.
John Hagen - tenor saxophone.
Dave Sewelson - baritone saxophone.
Joel Forrester - piano.
David Hofstra - bass.
Richard Dworkin - drums.
All compositions (c) and (p) Jedible Music (BMI)
Recording Engineer: Carl Seltzer.
Recorded 12/15/82 and 1/7/83, at Seltzer Sound, NYC.
tranfered at Now! Recording
remastered by John Bataglia at TJ Valentino.
Cover design: Amy Davis.
Cover and back photos: Bill Paradise.
Reissue liner notes: Phillip Johnston.
Reissue Producer: Donald Elfman.
Associate Reissue Producer: Andrew Caploe.
"... delights in nudging toney dance arrangements with raw rock
and roll and r&b charts. Ellingtonian reed fanfares, ROVA-like
contrapuntalisms, and false endings. Suprisingly, given shifting time
signatures, it all swings together. kudos to the rhythm trio... The
Microscopic Septet - has fun - but also has something to say and the ability
to say it. ****"
- Howard Mandel, Downbeat. (December, 1983)
...This month's left-field hit - a saxophone quartet plus rhythm playing
cartoonish tangos and barrelhouse rave-ups with wit, precision and genuine
panache. Though the solos are all very accomplished, it's the unison passages
and the delicious writing by Phillip Johnston and Joel Forrester (I don't
know who they are, either, but I aim to find out), that give this its sheen."
- Francis Davis, Musician.(December, 1983)
"I had heard the name MICROSCOPIC SEPTET quite a few times before I heard
the music of that ensemble. I was prepared for somethign studiously far out.
Well, I was part right. It is far out, but scenically, intelligently and
enjoyably so. This is a jazz band. Real jazz. Not free jazz, fringe jazz
or fake jazz, although there's a little of each of those bags herein...
It's as cool as shrimp cocktail. This is now my favorite jazz band and
one destined to please adults of all ages. They swing, they rock, they bop,
they exude food for fun, prophesy cool nights for the future near and far out."
-Glenn O'Brien, Interview (June, 1983)
review by Drew Wheeler at Jazz Central Station
review of by Jeff Morris at
52nd Street Jazz
Email Phillip Johnston.
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