Shawn Maxwell Originals II review on the-borderland.co.uk
Published on December 16th, 2008
Shawn Maxwell - Originals II
It takes some confidence and sheer chutzpah to follow up a debut album
of all original music with another, and not resort to riffling through
the ‘Great American Songbook’ for a few covers. That woodwinds player
and bandleader Shawn Maxwell has done this with follow up album,
Originals II, and managed to create a collection of strong jazz tracks
that pulse and blow hard is a wonder. Deftly supported by Matt Nelson -
piano, Graham Czach - bass, Brad Dickert - drums, Aaron Koppel - guitar
and Johann Mahmud - trombone, Maxwell’s alto sax, clarinet and flute
soar over these strong players to create a dozen tracks of robust jazz.
Some of these tracks also have a filmic quality that would suit Martin
Scorcese’s next movie set on the dark and grimy streets of New York, I’m
thinking of Year Three in particular here. So, a very strong follow up
to his debut album, and it reveals a composer using his palette of
sounds to good effect.
For more information about this artist and album and availability visit:
www.shawnmaxwell.com
