Pin It
Origin Records

CD REVIEW: Richard Sussman Quintet “Continuum” 

Origin Records

If you think they’ve stopped writing jazz standards like they used to in the late 1950s, listen to the new album by the Richard
click to enlarge 2242199.jpg
Sussman Quintet. Appropriately titled “Continuum,” the CD is full of tunes that harken back to the best of the hard-bop years while retaining a contemporary feel. The opener, “Spare Change,” is not only a tribute to Horace Silver - it’s got such a great, catchy head - it could be mistaken for a Horace Silver tune. But the album is by no means a retro affair; the far-more-complex title tune that closes the album leaves no doubt about that.

In addition to composing seven of the nine compositions, Sussman plays great piano and wild synthesizer (especially on “Meridian”). And he gets more than a little help from some great friends. Randy Brecker, on trumpet and flugelhorn, plays an especially strong solo on “Alone Together.” Jerry Bergonzi, on tenor saxophone, rises to the Coltrane-inspired occasion on “Theme For Ernie.” Bassist Mike Richmond solos beautifully on Sussman’s “It’s Never Too Late.” And Jeff Williams is superb throughout on drums. A special guest, guitarist Mike Stern, makes an appearance on one track written especially for him, “Mike’s Blues.”

  • Origin Records

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this thread:

Add a comment

Latest in Music Reviews

  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”
  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”

    “Tango Caliente,” the new album by The Jay D’Amico Quintet, is so good it may make you wonder why D’Amico is not better known. Over his four decade career he’s collaborated extensively with bassist Milt Hinton, and from 1984 to the night before 9/11, D’Amico was pianist in residence at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center.

    • May 8, 2013
  • CD Review: Pascal Le Boeuf “Pascal’s Triangle”
  • CD Review: Pascal Le Boeuf “Pascal’s Triangle”

    Pianist Pascal Le Boeuf is a 21st century renaissance man. He’s made inroads in the worlds of classical music, indie-rock, and jazz. With his identical twin brother Remy, he’s won top awards in various international songwriting competitions. “Pascal’s Triangle” finds Le Boeuf in a jazz trio setting with excellent partners Linda Oh on bass and Justin Brown on drums.

    • May 8, 2013
  • CD Review: Homiside "Back For More"
  • CD Review: Homiside "Back For More"

    It’s a singles market these days, so when an album gets released it feels like a big deal. “Back For More” is a debut album from Rochester based rapper Mike Parlayan, aka Homiside.

    • Apr 23, 2013
  • More »

More by Ron Netsky

  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”
  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”

    “Tango Caliente,” the new album by The Jay D’Amico Quintet, is so good it may make you wonder why D’Amico is not better known. Over his four decade career he’s collaborated extensively with bassist Milt Hinton, and from 1984 to the night before 9/11, D’Amico was pianist in residence at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center.

    • May 8, 2013
  • JAZZ | Smoker, Golia, Haynes & Lane
  • JAZZ | Smoker, Golia, Haynes & Lane

    • Apr 3, 2013
  • More »

Latest in Music Reviews

  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”
  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”

    “Tango Caliente,” the new album by The Jay D’Amico Quintet, is so good it may make you wonder why D’Amico is not better known. Over his four decade career he’s collaborated extensively with bassist Milt Hinton, and from 1984 to the night before 9/11, D’Amico was pianist in residence at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center.

    • May 8, 2013
  • CD Review: Pascal Le Boeuf “Pascal’s Triangle”
  • CD Review: Pascal Le Boeuf “Pascal’s Triangle”

    Pianist Pascal Le Boeuf is a 21st century renaissance man. He’s made inroads in the worlds of classical music, indie-rock, and jazz. With his identical twin brother Remy, he’s won top awards in various international songwriting competitions. “Pascal’s Triangle” finds Le Boeuf in a jazz trio setting with excellent partners Linda Oh on bass and Justin Brown on drums.

    • May 8, 2013
  • CD Review: Homiside "Back For More"
  • CD Review: Homiside "Back For More"

    It’s a singles market these days, so when an album gets released it feels like a big deal. “Back For More” is a debut album from Rochester based rapper Mike Parlayan, aka Homiside.

    • Apr 23, 2013
  • More »

More by Ron Netsky

  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”
  • CD Review: The Jay D’Amico Quintet “Tango Caliente”

    “Tango Caliente,” the new album by The Jay D’Amico Quintet, is so good it may make you wonder why D’Amico is not better known. Over his four decade career he’s collaborated extensively with bassist Milt Hinton, and from 1984 to the night before 9/11, D’Amico was pianist in residence at Windows on the World, the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center.

    • May 8, 2013
  • CD Review: Myriad3 “Tell”
  • CD Review: Myriad3 “Tell”

    • Apr 10, 2013
  • More »

Browse Listings

Submit an event

© 2013 City Newspaper

Website powered by Foundation