Description
For his new album, the American bassist and composer embraces a musical heritage which goes back to the soundtrack of his youth, when he not only listened to Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis, but went backstage at concerts with his father to meet many of these great artists… Jazz is his passion, a passion which flourished in the company of such masters as Ray Brown, Lennie Niehaus and Bunny Brunel. He went on to produce a wonderful series of albums for the Candid label. Now that he has joined JazzVillage, he has affirmed his love for all things French by bringing his loyal band of eager young Brits to record at La Buissonne, one of France's best modern studios. Dynamic, bursting with powerful grooves and innovative melodies, The View From Here reveals the eclectic music of a musician of his time, a band leader, a virtuoso and an exceptional composer: Kyle Eastwood.
@CriticalJazz
Roots music if inferred from context or if you subscribe to the Wynton Marsalis school of pretentious jazz history is a closer look at the art form that we refer to in the United States as jazz and the origins that surround not only the arrival but in some cases regional development into distinct pockets of sonic culture. Most aficionados with a mere passing interest in the music understand the origins. What makes Kyle Eastwood and his new release The View From Here work is that the roots concept is internalized and we get a peak at what makes an artist such as Kyle Eastwood tick. John Abercrombie was very successful in turning inward to discover his own jazz history and the significance and impact in relationship to his artistic voice. The Kyle Eastwood release on Jazz Village may arguably be his finest work to date with a high degree of success a literal given.
Eastwood draws from roots that include Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis which may play a major role in his success in films and the thanks to the Miles Davis influence, the uncanny ability to change dynamics and harmonic direction on the fly while having his more than eager young band from London following every step of the way.
Eastwood is living his passion which has included working in the company of such prolific talents as Ray Brown, Lennie Niehaus, and Buell Neidlinger. This particular release was recorded at one of the finest studios in France, La Buissonne. By no means is this a cover album as was Abercrombie's fine release. The View From Here is an artistic self portrait of Eastwood and the powerful grooves and evocative melodies they would seem as though he were channeling his inspiration from past masters while utilizing his own dynamic spin to communicate through the slightly eclectic set list that Eastwood has constructed.
In terms of criticism this release rolls a doughnut, it is flawless and easily separates Eastwood from a crowded field of bassists that seem more concerned with the academia behind the performance than the performance itself.
Kyle Eastwood is a virtuoso talent that has come into his own while maintaining the tortoise and the hare approach of slow and steady wins the race. There are a great many promising young bass players that should take note that Eastwood has now raised the bar some have insisted on limboing under for years.
