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Mike Holober: Balancing Act
ByIn putting together the titular octet for this project, Holober brought together some of the most remarkable personalities on the scene todaysingular artists like vocalist Kate McGarry, drummer Brian Blade, and saxophonist Dick Oatts. Every member of this band is a potential scene-stealer, and each has a chance to shine at various points throughout the album, but this remains a group statement. Holober's guidance and multi-hued compositions allow this ensemble to speak, flow, and flourish as one.
The program consists of five Holober originals of varying vintage and style, including the perceptive "Book Of Sighs," metaphorically-motivated "Grace At Sea," and Brazilian-tinged "When There Were Trains"; a contribution from multireedist Jason Rigbythe slick groove workout "Idris"which gives a nod in name and spirit to the late Idris Muhammad; and two covers from outside of the jazz milieua stargazing take on Billy Joel's "Lullabye: Goodnight My Angel" and a version of "Piece Of My Heart" that's worlds away, both sonically and spiritually, from Janis Joplin's famed rendition.
While Holober's ability to plait the participating musicians with his pen and his piano is central to the success of this album, it's hard not to take note of some standout contributions: McGarry's second act on "Book Of Sighs"a section of this soul-searching odyssey dealing with two sides of different emotional coinsbrings the meaning of the song into sharp relief; Rigby and trombonist Mark Patterson are the tides that influence "Grace At Sea"; Blade greases the groove rails and delivers a sensational solo on "Idris"; Oatts outdoes himself on "Canyons"; and Holober has more than a few shining moments of his own, ably slaloming through aggressive environments and giving off semi-impressionistic thoughts in cooler settings.
With Balancing Act, Holober has managed to apply his large artistic ambitions on a smaller-than-usual scale without compromising a single thing. It's a work that speaks both to solidarity and individuality. A better name for such a band and album doesn't exist.
Track Listing
Book Of Sighs; Idris; Lullabye: Goodnight My Angel; Grace At Sea; Piece Of My Heart; Canyon; Sighs Matter; When There Were Trains.
Personnel
Mike Holober
pianoKate McGarry
vocalsMarvin Stamm
trumpetDick Oatts
saxophone, altoJason Rigby
saxophone, tenorMark Patterson
tromboneJohn Hébert
bassBrian Blade
drumsAlbum information
Title: Balancing Act | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Palmetto Records
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Mike Holober
CD/LP/Track Review
Dan Bilawsky
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Palmetto Records
Kate McGarry
Brian Blade
Dick Oatts
Jason Rigby
Idris Muhammad
Mark Patterson
Balancing Act