Personnel:
Geni Barry (vib, marimba), Joan Chamorro (bs), Guim García (as), Joan Monné, Albert Bover (p), Javier Juanco (g), Nono Fernández, Tom Warburton, Jordi Gaspar (b), Pau Bombardó, Xavi Maureta (d), The Big Band Jazz Terrassa
Reference: SA 041
Bar code: 8427328450416
"The clue is in the title as this collection houses eight tracks by the Barry group recorded between 2001 and 2009. Eight selections were made at the Jazz Cava Terassa, presumably a jazz club where the vibist had a longstanding gig.
Siam is the first track with Barry’s vibes setting up a swinging flow with good support from piano, bass and drums. The leader plays in a post-bop style not unlike his stated inspiration Bobby Hutcherson. There are also two compositions from Hutcherson on offer.
Autumn Leaves runs out at over 12 minutes and gives Barry the chance to show his considerable skill at improvising on a standard at length. Joan Monne also gets a good workout on piano.
Bluesette slows the tempo down somewhat and offers lively solos by Barry and bassist Nono Fernandez but although his lines are interesting, he is overamplified, detracting from a natural double bass sound.
Pretty Blue eyes is a feature for Barry as soloist with Big Band Jazz Terrassa which works well as the music is well balanced, from the point of view of both soloist and orchestra. Bossa Nouveau, a Pepper Adams piece, has a different line up with a sturdy baritone solo by Joan Chamorro. The final selection is a quartet with alto sax and guitar but no drums. Corcovado cooks slowly and rounds out the disc.
This is free-flowing bop, presumably all recorded in Spain, well structured and played with good soloists but the recording quality could be better. Possibly an on-location job by one of the musicians."
Derek Ansell (May 9, 2020)
https://jazzjournal.co.uk/
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"Geni Barry brings vibes and marimba to a variety of concert settings ranging form 2001 to 2009 on this swinging album including his core team of Joan Monne/p, Nono Fernaandez/b, Pau Bombardo/dr in a quartet setting, as well as a Big Band and a couple other settings. The team is upbeat and bopping for Bobby Hutcherson’s “Siam” and cheery on the samba reads of “Bluesette” and “Isn’t This My Sound Around Me””. The big band pumps on “Pretty Blue Eyes” and with baritonist Joan Chamorro, a sizzling tribute to Pepper Adams is delivered along with hip soloing by pianist Albert Bover on “Bossa Nouveau”. Jordi Gaspar’s bowed bass lilts under Guim Garcia’s alto sax pulsated along by guitarist Javier Juanco on the velvety “Corcovado” making the album a Brazilian bathing beauty. Check this one out."
George W. Harris (April 20, 2020)
https://www.jazzweekly.com/
"The vibraphonist Geni Barry presents his strongest album."
—Roger Roca (El Periódico)
"A fascinating immersion in the essence of jazz."
—Pere Pons
