Torque is, for many, a first wide exposure to the music of Brian Groder, and the response to
this "new vision for modern jazz" (according to Midwest Records) is overwhelming. Several editions of All About Jazz proclaimed this disc to be "music of
ceaselessly fascinating possibilities", as "four brilliant musicians listening closely to one another and playing extremely well together" create "a graceful recording marked by
the flawless tone of Groder." The interplay of this champion of modern progressive jazz and the legendary
Sam Rivers (abetted by his long-time colleagues Doug Mathews and Anthony Cole, on Cole's final recording date with the Trio) has elicited raves from around the world, calling the
music "Razor-sharp" (UK), "The absolute definition of free" (Sweden), "Interesting
and beautifully constructed" (Netherlands) and "A true definition of today's jazz: swinging, vibrant and full of vitality" (Portugal).
|
 | | Torque has been compared to the mid-60s music of
Miles Davis, the harmolodic output of Ornette Coleman, avant-garde master Albert Ayler, contemporary jazz darling Dave Douglas, even a "mutant
Herb Alpert". Truth is, the playing of these four creative masters combined with Groder's "strikingly
uncompromising" material is hard to classify, reviewers calling it bop, free, avant-garde, contemporary,
neo-expressionist,
experimental and exploratory, effervescent, graceful, fresh, smooth and invigorating. What they do agree on is the artistry of
the band, the strength of Groder's compositions, and the fiery chemistry between Sam and Brian (more than one reviewer calling them "smoldering volcanoes"). And some reviews
speak for themselves:
|
"This is easily one of the best and most exciting releases of 2006 and may prove to be an enduring classic."
All About Jazz "This quartet dares to be in a
class by itself." Jazzmozaiek Magazine, Belgium "Four Stars."
Downbeat "Essential? Yes."
MazzMusikaS, Netherlands "You'll
play the disc so many times, trying to find your favorite part, that the batteries in your remote will die."
Jazz på Svenska, Sweden
|
