Review
by Willard Manus
Here is
some fresh, exciting jazz from the Justin Rothenberg Group, a New York-based
quintet. Rothenberg, a superb guitarist, composed eleven of the twelve
tunes on HURRICANE MOUSE, all of which get fiery renditions by his youthful
bandmates: Todd Groves (woodwinds), Jon Price (bass), Hiroyuki Matsura
(drums) and Andy O'Neill (percussion).
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As an ensemble they are proficient not just in jazz (check out "The
Layoff Song," eight minutes of high-flying funk) but in a variety
of other musical forms: folk, Caribbean, rock, touches of classical and
even Arabic ("G-Sus Band"). While crossing these borders and
playing with energy and finesse, Rothenberg's band makes fresh, provocative
music from beginning to end.
Rothenberg studied at City College and went on to play with Petula Clark,
Taylor Dane and The King Django Band. He has also appeared on numerous
Broadway and Off-Broadway cast albums--and performed twice with the New
World Symphony.
This is his third album as leader. It is an impressive achievement, experimental
jazz at its best.
(Justinrothenberg.bandcamp.com)
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