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Classic Traditional Jazz "CD Of The Month"


Featured Artist:  Tom Beckham


CD: Rebound


Record Label: Apria Records


Style:  Straight Ahead


Year:
  2008

 

Vibe master Tom Beckham may not be at the top of the “Who’s Who in Jazz” category, but he is definitely an artist that should be taken seriously. First and foremost, Beckham plays one of the most eclectic and sophisticated instruments in jazz; on top of that, he is quite good at what he does. His latest CD entitled ‘Rebound’ on the Apria Record Label exposes an energy that not only supercedes the mundane, the recording is uniquely qualified to be expressively coherent, while functioning as a downright good sounding album.

 

As a straight ahead jazz CD, Tom Beckham’s approachable style goes the distance in allowing him to push the envelope of creativity on eight original compositions. Each track has a seemingly perfect fit filled with improvised imagery and spontaneous rhythms. Beckham and his band of merry men consisting of saxophonist Chris Cheek, pianist Henry Hey, bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Ferenc Nemeth perform brilliantly individually and collectively throughout the album’s associated tracks. One tune in particular entitled “Parting The Water” displays a much-appreciated interplay between Henry Hey’s piano and Tom’s vibraphone coupled with a laminar flow of Cheek’s sax augmentations. Although Tom Beckham’s vibes serve as the hallmark for the entire track, the roles of each member of the quintet are equally divided. This observation holds true for ‘Rebound’ in totality. Other tracks including “Carnival” and “Tiny Star” also have a certain standout appeal that allows each musician to exercise his creativity and craft as an artist.

 

When listening to ‘Rebound,’ there is an attachment of sensitivity and close attention to detail. Beckham’s strategic improvised rhythms serve as a reminder of the CD’s straight ahead influences. Echoes of vibe master Lionel Hampton are deeply rooted in the album’s presentation, but without the encumbrances of a big band influence. The five-man kit that is attached to ‘Rebound’ is extremely complementary, as well as the varying influences associated with Tom Beckham’s musical message. In every sense of what straight ahead jazz should be about, this release speaks volumes about the enduring qualities tied to America’s only original art form.

 

‘Rebound’ is the third CD for Tom Beckham as a leader. The recording is filled with homogenous melodies tied to a wave of improvised rhythms that run the gamut of influences. The harmonies are soft and mellow with a high-level of freshness attached, especially so on such tracks as “Grillin’” and “Tethered.” Overall, Tom Beckham’s latest release is a recording that fits into the groove of a finely tuned jazz activated audio phonic musical experience.


Traditional Jazz Top 25


Rebound - Tom Beckham
Apria Records
Earfood - Roy Hargrove Quintet
Emarcy Records
The Traveler - Kenny Barron
Sunnyside
Invisible Cinema - Aaron Parks
Blue Note
Lanky - Trachy Lacy Collective
Independent
Set The Alarm for Monday - Bobby Previte & The New Bump
Palmetto Records
Emphasis (On Parenthesis) - Stanton Moore Trio
Telarc International
Let It Come To You - Taylor Eigsti
Concord
Esperanza - Esperanza Spalding
Heads Up
When You Know - Dianne Reeves
Blue Note
Hidden Mandala - Marc Rossi Group
Independent
Medicine Man - Tom Tallitsch
OA2 Records
It's Magic - Ahmad Jamal
Birdology/Dreyfus
The Standard - Take 6
Heads Up
Still Unforgettable - Natalie Cole
DMI/Atco
The Mancini Project - Ted Nash
Palmetto
Below Sea Level - Shan Arsenault
Independent
Worrisome Heart - Melody Gardot
Verve
Once A Melody - Javon Jackson
Palmetto
Joey Di - Joey DeFrancesco
HighNote
Guitars - McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner/Half Note
Road Shows, Vol. 1 - Sonny Rollins
Doxy/Emarcy
Across The Crystal Sea - Danilo Perez
Emarcy
Pass It On - Dave Holland
Dare2/Emarcy
Loverly - Cassandra Wilson
Blue Note



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