Personnel:
Sebastian Weiss (p), Bob Bowen (b), Dan Weiss (d, tablas), Miguel Zenon (as)
Reference: FSNT-114
Bar code: 84 27328 42114 0
"Youth and wisdom are often not used in the same sentence. Ah, its good to break old clichés. This new century brings promise in the form of Sebastian Weiss and his fellow wise men.
If you can imagine tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley (or similar artists) in a current setting, take notice. Though Miguel Zenon plays alto, hes got that kind of musical sense and makes the most of it. Sebastian is up to it again, with some suave piano work while Dan Weiss and Bob Bowen mix it up tightly as they are known to do. How straight-ahead can these guys get? Returning for More is something to make one return for. Its a complex track that reveals something new each time you hear it. One can sense the deep message in Absence, interpreted by Zenons sax as the voice over Sebastians thoughtful piano styling.
Misdialed is an interesting title for a piece thats well connected. No need to dissect titles, Zenon and Dan Weiss work their techniques quite well. As with the other tracks, theres more than one emotion coming through. No track is totally sedate or fiery. Its the mixture that works well. There are some burning moments on this CD, but its also quite reserved. Bowen and Sebastian give the early-morning groove 6 a.m. Elevated new day fire. If youve ever done the all night jazz radio thing, enlightened deejays know what to play when the clock approaches six on a Sunday morning and the sun peeps through your windows.
Theres a story behind the bluesy, somewhat strange and amusing Boa Constrictor. Its actually quite light and free unlike what the title alone would suggest. Dan does some serious reflective drum work here. Grow was written for a quasi-nephew of Sebastians (as he described). Its mostly piano driven, with some backup from Dan over a simple rhythm structure.
For note, Weiss composed all tracks with wisdom beyond his years. Each artist plays with freedom that is well used. They know to reach ahead without turning away from each other. These musicians sound like theyre truly having a good time doing what they do. True musicians cant hide the love. You can feel it here."
- Denai Burbank (www.jazzreview.com)
