Gene Ess – Sandbox & Sanctum: Song Cycle For Quartet  (CD)

 

Sound: B     Music: B

 

 

Imagine Modern Jazz with slight touches of New Age here and there and you get the idea of the new Gene Ess album Sandbox & Sanctum (2005), a pretty good set of instrumentals that are constantly enjoyable, entertaining and well-constructed.  With a constant flow that just keeps moving and moving, the tracks here are:

 

1)     Free 2 Fast

2)     Ryo

3)     Baptisma Pyros

4)     Ballad For A Swordsman

5)     Ask The Guru

6)     Noh Country

7)     Sun Matsuri

8)     Kerama Processional

 

 

Ess is the guitarist, joined by tenor and soprano saxophone Donny McCaslin, bassist Harvie S and drummer Gene Jackson.  It is a good set with long pieces throughout, so do not underestimate the length.  These are jam sessions.  That the PCM 2.0 16Bit/44.1kHz CD sound is nice, clean and clear is a plus.  Now that I have recommended it, I believe that if you like this kind of music, you will really enjoy this album.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo