| Jazz |
It is said that 2025 may well be the year that rekindles our love for cover albums—if they all match the caliber of this one. Joe Syrian, the leader of the group and an accomplished drummer, demonstrates a remarkable gift for arrangements. At times, he subtly underscores this talent through his drumming, but it is far from his only focus. Indeed, the album’s true charm lies in the seamless way each musician finds their natural place within the ensemble.
On the Concept: Turn the dial of your radio ever so slightly and see where it takes you. Chances are, it will land on a style of popular music, and if you’re fortunate, on an artist or group whose inspiration transcends polished riffs, catchy hooks, or the relentless basslines saturating today’s airwaves. While the allure of popularity has always been enticing, some composers heed a loftier call, channeling their creativity and passion to craft timeless music that resonates within our cultural consciousness. Yes, it works—jazz aficionados will instantly recognize every track on this album. And yet, they are rediscovered here with a fresh perspective.
Joe Syrian’s vision is at the heart of this vibrant, powerful, and radiant creation. From the 1920s to the 1940s, jazz occupied a unique space, enriching the American repertoire with countless masterpieces and establishing milestones that shaped the evolution of popular music worldwide. As this prolific era faded, celebrated groups like Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Beatles, and Joni Mitchell flirted with jazz, weaving advanced harmonies, sophisticated rhythms, and open frameworks into their musical vocabulary. Jazz, in turn, responded with inventive arrangements of pop classics, striking a delicate balance between their familiar appeal and the imaginative interpretations characteristic of improvised music.
The track People Make the World Go Round, popularized by The Stylistics in 1972 and sold in millions across the globe, is reimagined here in a stunning version. Through a deft game of hide-and-seek, this album emerges as a collection of delightful surprises. The boundaries of pop and jazz are pushed as far as they can go, enriched by a genuinely orchestral vision that not only showcases the instrumentalists but also redefines each piece with astonishing rhythmic, musical, and poetic ingenuity.
For those daring to blend pop and jazz—or jazz with pop—there is always the risk of alienating audiences who prefer to keep these genres distinct. This is where Joe Syrian steps in, a seasoned drummer and leader of the Motor City Jazz Octet. A connoisseur with a refined ear for crafting alluring musical narratives, Syrian masterfully balances the accessible charm of pop with the adventurous spirit of his ensemble. When asked about his process, Syrian reflects: “Popular music resonates with people and connects with many audiences. We simply take that and adapt it to our unique framework.”
That framework is brought to life by an extraordinary lineup of musicians:
- Adam Birnbaum (piano)
- Paul Bollenback (guitar)
- Lorin Cohen (acoustic and electric bass)
- Carl Maraghi (alto and baritone saxophones)
- Tim Ries (tenor saxophone: tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
- Dave Rieckenberg (tenor saxophone: tracks 7, 8; bass clarinet: track 3)
- Nick Marchionne (trumpet, flugelhorn)
- Doug Beavers (trombone)
- Special Guests: Kenny Washington (vocals: track 3), Joe Locke (vibraphone: track 3), Luisito Quintero (percussion: tracks 3, 5)
For its boundless inventiveness, this album earns a well-deserved place in our “Essential Albums” category.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, December 29th 2024
Follow PARIS-MOVE on X
::::::::::::::::::::::