Reviews for "Get It?"
Martin Wind “Get it?”
Laika Records
by Laurel Gross, New York City Jazz Record (formerly All About Jazz - New York) / February 2011
Don't let the eye-catching photos from Get It?, showing bassist Martin Wind defying gravity with his un-upright bass in mid-leap (front) and members of the band suspended in mid-air (back side) fool you. Wind, reedist Scott Robinson, pianist Bill Cunliffe and drummer Tim Horner may be playful but are 'serious' musicians in the best sense. Everything in this outing is clearly considered and executed with musical sense.
Wind's own compositions on 6 of these tracks are skillful and well-constructed, displaying coherence, affability, accessibility and respect for melody and harmonic structure. He gives space to his bandmates and encourages the listener to concentrate on the totality rather than himself. He doesn't grandstand nor take long solos, instead performing with a quiet assurance that is solid and affecting.
After an infectious start with Wind's energetic tribute to soul man James Brown on the title track, the set eases into the more intimate, fluctuating moods of his original "Life". Lucky Thompson's "The Plain But Simple Truth" provides a conducive atmosphere for outstading solos by the sure-handed Wind doing exceptional work on cello and the poetically splendid Robinson on tenor sax while Horner offers subtile, effective support. The rendition of Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn's "Isfahan" is exquisite, buoyed by Robinson's superb musings (check out those lovely 'meows') and Cunliffe's lyrical piano. Wind's "Can't Say No" offers additional sparkle in the partnership of cello (pizzicato and arco) and lilting clarinet. Two other moving Wind pieces, the lyrical "Early August" and the bluesy "Rainy River", follow, the album closing with a top-notch live rendition of Thad Jones' "Three and One".
For more information, visit laika-records.com. This group is at The Kitano Feb. 10th.
by Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes / December 2010
Bassist-composer Martin Wind leads his working quartet of multi-reedman Scott Robinson, pianist Bill Cunliffe and drummer Tim Horner. Strong chemistry, vibrant interaction and outstanding solos abound throughout the album, which includes some deft tribute pieces: The funky title track is a homage to James Brown; Wind's breezy and affecting "Ten Years" is written for his wife. The bassist premieres his cello playing on the Oscar Pettiford vehicle "The Plain But Simple Truth" and his own lovely "Can't Say No." Other highlights include an exquisite rendition of Billy Strayhorn's "Isfahan", along with inventive takes on Andrew Hill's "Laverne" and Thad Jones' boisterous swinger "Three and One."
by Doug Ramsey
The quartet's feeling of controlled abandon, symbolized in the cover shot, is notable in the title tune inspired by James Brown. There's a sense of slight danger even in the stately treatment of Billy Strayhorn's "Isfahan" and Wind's atmospheric, blues-inflected "Rainy River." The chance- taking is at a high point in Thad Jones' "Three and One," with a Scott Robinson tenor sax solo that slithers, growls and wails. Wind, Robinson, pianist Bill Cunliffe and drummer Tim Horner are a compelling combination. On two pieces, Wind makes his debut on cello.
Jazz Thing, Germany, Sommer 2010
Geschmackvoll. Das Wort ist ein wenig aus der Mode gekommen, seine Aussage jedoch nicht. Das Quartett des Bassisten Martin Wind definiert nichts neu und ist auch in seiner Besetzung mit Saxofon, Klavier und Schlagzeug puristisch. Aber es hat Stil, von den dramarturgischen Details der Arrangements ueber die subtile Umsetzung der musikalischen Ideen bis hin zum ausgewogenen Mix des Albums. Es gebe kaum etwas Schoeneres, als mit einer eigenen Band arbeiten zu koennen, meint Wind im Geleitwort zu den Aufnahmen, die neben ihm selbst seine amerikanischen Kollegen Scott Robinson and den Reeds, Bill Cunliffe am Klavier und Tim Horner am Schlagzeug praesentieren. "Get it?" ist ungemein entspannt un in sich verzahnt gespielter Modern Jazz mit Ueberraschungen im Kleinen - von den vertrackten rhythmischen Aufloesungen ueber raffiniert changierende Akkordformen bis hin zu vier Solisten, die ihre gestalterische Kompetenz dem Gesamteindruck des Gruppenklangs widmen. Das ist eben - geschmackvol
Tasteful. The word sounds a little old fashioned but not its meaning. The Quartet of Bassist Martin Wind does not define anything new and is in its instrumentation with Saxophone, Piano and Drums purist.
But it has style, from the dramatic details of the arrangements to the subtle realization of musical ideas to the even mix of the album. There is nothing better than being able to work with your own band says Wind in the liner notes to this recording, which also presents his American colleagues Scott Robinson on reeds, Bill Cunliffe on piano and Tim Horner on drums.
“Get it?” is unbelievably relaxed and tightly played modern jazz with surprises in the details – from tricky rhythmic constellations to sophisticated chord structures to four soloists that put their creative competence into the service of the group sound.
It is in one word– tasteful.