| Jazz |
Just Released has been together for almost three years now, and they are the ones behind the CD “The Grease.” With influences from traditional jazz, hip-hop, funk, soul, and R&B, Just Released pushes boundaries and defines the Neo-Jazz movement.
Michael Malone (saxophone, EWI, samples, composer) has been playing the saxophone for over 20 years, having his first professional concert at the age of 15. He has performed with Cindy Blackmon (former drummer for Lenny Kravitz), Othello Mollineaux (Weather Report), pianists Billy Childs and Marcus Roberts, and guitarist Mark Whitfield. He traveled the world with jazz organ legend Jimmy Smith for three years. He was a founding member and composer for the Austin-based group Blaze for 5 years, which toured in Asia. He has been a session musician on numerous CD projects.
This is an introduction to Michael Malone, an extremely talented American saxophonist and composer who is currently preparing a new album. To learn more about Just Released, I invite you to read the biography on Michael Malone’s website, HERE
Although this album, released in 2007, may remind you somewhat of the Joe Zawinul Syndicate in its intentions, it is resolutely closer to American culture, jazz, hip hop, with a precision and quality of playing that is certainly reminiscent of Yellowjackets. So here we have highly structured, architecturally-influenced jazz that may seem simple at first listen but will reveal beautiful surprises in composition and arrangements. Do not be misled by the album cover, which does not do justice to the content of this album. All the musicians on this album are internationally renowned artists. It is also quite different from what Michael Malone offers in his concerts here in Austin, more classical but equally impressive. The reason this album is relatively unknown is that it did not receive distribution and was originally released on CD Baby.
If you are a fan of funk or rock music, you will likely appreciate this album, which exudes energy. We hope you will have the same pleasure in discovering this album as we did while listening to it. Focus on Michael’s saxophone, and you will realize, as I have, that this musician should be classified among the greatest instrumentalists of the 21st century.
The editorial teams of Bayou Blue Radio and Paris-Move have decided, despite the album’s age, to include it in our “Essential” category due to the many qualities of this group. Trust me, there are plenty!
Thierry De Clemensat
Correspondent in USA
Bayou Blue News – Bayou Blue Radio – Paris-Move
PARIS-MOVE, June 28th 2023
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Michael Malone live at Monk’s:
