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  | JEFF BALLARD ~ FAIRGROUNDS
EDITION 1121 (Barcode: 5060509790524) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2019
This is a live album by American drummer / composer Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet during a European tour. The quintet also includes guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Kevin HaysFind albums by this artist and Peter RendeFind albums by this artist and Reid AndersonFind albums by this artist on electronics (rather than on bass as expected). Saxophonists Chris CheekFind albums by this artist and Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist guest on selected tracks. The album presents eleven original composition composed or co-composed by the participating musicians.
The music offers an interesting mixture of atmospheric pieces, somewhere between Ambient, Jazz and World music, which creates a suspenseful listening experience. The unusual lineup with two keyboards and guitar offers often multi-layered structures, which demand intensive listening in order to be followed. The occasional vocals feel rather out of place, but thankfully those are rather marginal.
Overall, this is quite an interesting album, which moves a bit chaotically between Avant-Garde and schmaltz, but for a team of American musicians this is way more ambitious than one might expect. Listeners familiar with the recordings by these musicians might find this album very surprising, as it hardly follows any patterns these musicians are usually associated with. With the vocals removed, this album might even border on excellent.
| | Updated: 12/10/2022Posted: 12/10/2022 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
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