First Time Available On 180g 2-Disc Vinyl! Grammy Nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo "J. Mac" & Best Jazz Instrumental Album! Kevin Gray/Cohearant Vinyl Mastering
Over the course of a stellar career that has spanned more than 30 years, saxophonist Kenny Garrett has become the preeminent alto saxophonist of his generation. From his first gig with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (led by Mercer Ellington) through his time spent with musicians such as Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis, Garrett has always brought a vigorous yet melodic, and truly distinctive, alto saxophone sound to each musical situation. As a bandleader for the last two decades, he has also continually grown as a composer. With his second recording for Mack Avenue Records, Seeds From The Underground, Garrett has given notice that these qualities have not only become more impressive, but have provided him with the platform to expand his horizons and communicate his musical vision clearly. Seeds From The Underground is a powerful return to the straight-ahead, acoustic and propulsive quartet format that showcases Garretts extraordinary abilities.
"Seeds From the Underground is music about people, past and present, who planted seeds in my life - directly and indirectly. It's not a dedication record although there are songs dedicated to certain people." - Kenny Garrett
"Kenny Garrett is one of the most respected and frequently imitated saxophonists in the jazz world, but he might not have reached his full potential if not for those who guided him and showed him the way. While some musicians try to rewrite history when they make it big, turning their backs on the nurturing forces and influential individuals that kept them on the righteous path, Garrett doesn't fall into that category. He gives credit where credit is due, and Seeds From the Underground. is the proof.
"Garrett wrote ten musical 'thank you' notes for this project, which honors his family, friends, mentors and musical influences. While the songs run the gamut from subdued to explosive, the most impressive material is the edgy, late '60s-influenced fare. Garrett's pianist - the underexposed Benito Gonzalez - puts a Latin-inflected, postmodern slant on the McCoy Tyner sound, and drummer Ronald Bruner is relentless, driving the music with punchy fills and on-top-of-the-beat cymbal work. This pairing proves to be potent, and both men can be seen as the combinatorial impetus behind Garrett's most aggressive and outspoken playing. Two prime examples come in the form of a hard hitting nod to saxophone maverick Jackie McLean ("J. Mac") and a waltzing tribute to Roy Haynes ("Haynes Here"), but others are scattered throughout..." - Dan Bilawsky, allaboutjazz.com, April 30, 2012
"With a generous, enthusiastic playing style that makes him a concert favorite, Garrett has become a quintessential jazz musician who will take on any challenge, and make the result sound good." - Boston Globe
"Among the most fluent and soulful alto saxophonists to emerge post-Coltrane, Garrett is back in acoustic mode. As always, his playing is powerfully insistent, moving upward from one plateau to the next. It's also amazingly conversational; his lines punctuate and flow in such a way that he seems to be speaking to the listener..." - San Jose Mercury News
Features:
180g Virgin Vinyl
Double LP
Pressed at URP in Nashville
Kevin Gray/Cohearant Vinyl Mastering
Musicians:
Kenny Garrett, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, piano
Benito Gonzalez, piano
Nat Reeves, bass
Ronald Bruner, drums
Rudy Bird, bata, percussion
Nedelka Prescod, vocals
Sengbe Kona Khasu, vocals (LP2/3)
Donald Brown, vocals (LP2/3)
Rudy Bird, vocals (LP2/3)
Misha Tarasov, vocals (LP2/3)
Rusty Chops, vocals (LP2/3)
Selections:
LP1 - Side 1:
1. Boogety Boogety
2. J. Mac
LP1 - Side 2:
1. Wiggins
2. Haynes Here
3. Detroit
LP2 - Side 3:
1. Seeds From the Underground
2. Du-Wo-Mo
LP2 - Side 4:
1. Welcome Earth Song
2. Ballad Jarrett
3. Laviso, i bon?
Over the course of a stellar career that has spanned more than 30 years, saxophonist Kenny Garrett has become the preeminent alto saxophonist of his generation. From his first gig with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (led by Mercer Ellington) through his time spent with musicians such as Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis, Garrett has always brought a vigorous yet melodic, and truly distinctive, alto saxophone sound to each musical situation. As a bandleader for the last two decades, he has also continually grown as a composer. With his second recording for Mack Avenue Records, Seeds From The Underground, Garrett has given notice that these qualities have not only become more impressive, but have provided him with the platform to expand his horizons and communicate his musical vision clearly. Seeds From The Underground is a powerful return to the straight-ahead, acoustic and propulsive quartet format that showcases Garretts extraordinary abilities.
"Seeds From the Underground is music about people, past and present, who planted seeds in my life - directly and indirectly. It's not a dedication record although there are songs dedicated to certain people." - Kenny Garrett
"Kenny Garrett is one of the most respected and frequently imitated saxophonists in the jazz world, but he might not have reached his full potential if not for those who guided him and showed him the way. While some musicians try to rewrite history when they make it big, turning their backs on the nurturing forces and influential individuals that kept them on the righteous path, Garrett doesn't fall into that category. He gives credit where credit is due, and Seeds From the Underground. is the proof.
"Garrett wrote ten musical 'thank you' notes for this project, which honors his family, friends, mentors and musical influences. While the songs run the gamut from subdued to explosive, the most impressive material is the edgy, late '60s-influenced fare. Garrett's pianist - the underexposed Benito Gonzalez - puts a Latin-inflected, postmodern slant on the McCoy Tyner sound, and drummer Ronald Bruner is relentless, driving the music with punchy fills and on-top-of-the-beat cymbal work. This pairing proves to be potent, and both men can be seen as the combinatorial impetus behind Garrett's most aggressive and outspoken playing. Two prime examples come in the form of a hard hitting nod to saxophone maverick Jackie McLean ("J. Mac") and a waltzing tribute to Roy Haynes ("Haynes Here"), but others are scattered throughout..." - Dan Bilawsky, allaboutjazz.com, April 30, 2012
"With a generous, enthusiastic playing style that makes him a concert favorite, Garrett has become a quintessential jazz musician who will take on any challenge, and make the result sound good." - Boston Globe
"Among the most fluent and soulful alto saxophonists to emerge post-Coltrane, Garrett is back in acoustic mode. As always, his playing is powerfully insistent, moving upward from one plateau to the next. It's also amazingly conversational; his lines punctuate and flow in such a way that he seems to be speaking to the listener..." - San Jose Mercury News
Features:
180g Virgin Vinyl
Double LP
Pressed at URP in Nashville
Kevin Gray/Cohearant Vinyl Mastering
Musicians:
Kenny Garrett, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, piano
Benito Gonzalez, piano
Nat Reeves, bass
Ronald Bruner, drums
Rudy Bird, bata, percussion
Nedelka Prescod, vocals
Sengbe Kona Khasu, vocals (LP2/3)
Donald Brown, vocals (LP2/3)
Rudy Bird, vocals (LP2/3)
Misha Tarasov, vocals (LP2/3)
Rusty Chops, vocals (LP2/3)
Selections:
LP1 - Side 1:
1. Boogety Boogety
2. J. Mac
LP1 - Side 2:
1. Wiggins
2. Haynes Here
3. Detroit
LP2 - Side 3:
1. Seeds From the Underground
2. Du-Wo-Mo
LP2 - Side 4:
1. Welcome Earth Song
2. Ballad Jarrett
3. Laviso, i bon?
