Featured Artist: David Braid Sextet Live Volume II

CD Title: Zhen

Year: 2006

Record Label: Independent

Style: Contemporary Jazz

Musicians: David Braid(piano), John MacLeod(flugelhorn,coronet), Gene Smith(trombone), Mike Murley(tenor & soprano saxophone), Steve Wallace(bass),Terry Clarke(drums)

Review: David Braid communicates with a musical spirit that seemingly knows no bounds, a pianist, composer, arranger, leader and sideman that has done it all. On this recording, made at famed (and now a part of history) Toronto nightclub, Top of the Senator in 2005, the Sextet plays inspired jazz with a fresh contemporary groove. The album Zhen features seven tracks, all David Braid compositions with the exception of one, a masterful rendition of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps,” an hours worth of exceptional music from some world-class musicians, this is a highly recommended album.

David Braid is a relatively young musician, born in 1975, a fine pianist with a classical background, an award winning composer, winning a Juno award in 2005 for Best Traditional Jazz Album with his Sextet’s second CD, Vivid. Mr. Braid is also the recipient of the 2007 National Jazz Award for composer of the year, as well as acoustic group, with The Murley, Braid Quartet.

The first track of the CD is the hook that reels you in, “Fishers Of Men” a blues based tune, starts with solo acoustic bass, an intriguing rhythm, running into a rapid upbeat tempo, flowing and smooth harmonic lines with open sustained notes. A pause of dramatic effect – an exciting and dynamic entrance by the band, with horns blasting out a fine, full, rich tone, swinging drums and the pianist Braid setting out a great melody, a rich, fully developed song evolves that allows all members of the band to let loose.

A composer of exceptional talent, David Braid takes numerous twists and turns on this track, mixing in excellent arrangements for the horn section, driving the song with rhythmic excitement by adding a fantastic bass, drum and augmented piano section to the song, a trio that is playing with incredible intensity. The song is close to fourteen minutes in length, there is never a dull moment, from the previously mentioned solo bass, to the group playing with trombone, coronet and saxophone breaks of improvised majesty, this is a song that has it all.

The song “Lydian Sky” features the soprano saxophone playing of Mike Murley, an easygoing ballad with a beautiful melody. Mr. Murley plays with a sensitive and emotional style, his playing creates imagery that transports you to distant lands. As you listen with eyes closed you can picture multi coloured skies, he paints with tones of peace and tranquility.

The song “Temptress” takes us to the Middle East for a sampling of world music, John MacLeod brings us back home with some impressive flugelhorn playing. The song “Dance of The Zinfadels” has inspired trombone playing on a catchy rhythm. The song is performed at a moderate tempo to start and gently changes tempo to feature Gene Smith on trombone, whose playing is superb. The song Andalusia takes us for a tour of Spain with tones reminiscent of what you might hear during a battle (bullfight) at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid.

A live performance at a jazz club, The Top of The Senator, an intimate setting, an appreciative audience and the band featuring award-winning players. Saxophonist, Mike Murley, cornetist John MacLeod and trombonist Gene Smith, as well as a rhythm section of incredible depth, Steve Wallace on acoustic bass and Terry Clarke on drums, and led by one of the brightest lights in contemporary composition, David Braid. Put all of these elements together and you have the makings of a must have recording of classic proportions, this is Zhen.

Tracks: Fishers Of Men, Lydian Sky, Temptress, Dance Of The Zinfadels, Andalusia, Sai Kung, Giant Steps

Artist's Website: http://www.davidbraid.com

Reviewed by: Paul J. Youngman

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