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Old Thoughts for a New Day

June 11, 2006

Media Alert: Ben Adams Old Thoughts For A New Day Lunar Module Records 10010 Street Date June 13, 2006

CD Review: View the article here

Old Thoughts for a New Day
Ben Adams Quintet | Lunar Module Records
By Dan McClenaghan

It's difficult to describe an ensemble that's built around a vibraphone without using words like ”glowing” or “luminous.” Thanks to the mallet prowess of Steve Nelson, Dave Holland's bands, big and small, have those shining qualities. And so does Ben Adams' quintet on Old Thoughts for a New Day.

Adams and his group shape their sound without the input of a more traditional chording instrument (piano or guitar). This set walks a line between traditional and modern with an edgy aplomb. The leader's vibes often “glow” in the middle of things, an accompaniment mode he steps out of often for some dynamic, “luminous” solo turns. On the one hand, it's a standard quintet lineup: trumpet and tenor sax with a bass/drums/vibes rhythm section. On the other hand, the quintet's sound reflects an original approach, in large part due to a deft mix of different musical personalities which come together to from a cohesive ensemble blend.

Up front, trumpeter/flugelhornist Erik Jekabson and tenor saxophonist Mitch Marcus sound like a Jekyll and Hyde pairing. The trumpet solos feel relaxed, always in an easy flow, while the sax parts wind up the intensity with a contained neuroticism, like the blowing of some crazy--but very talented--street musician. Check out “The Actual” for a good example of this dynamic. The rhythm section (bassist Fred Randolph, drummer Sameer Gupta and Adams) moves forward like a flexible drive-train, churning ahead with a densely viscous lubrication.

Old Thoughts for a New Day presents a unique and interesting sound from a remarkably in-synch, modern-leaning ensemble.

Track Listing: Avery's Bedtime Song; Conversation with Martin; Patron Saint of Lost Causes; The Actual; Sheltered Circle; Old Thoughts for a New Day; Pocket Fiction; Ghost at Infancy; Sea of Cortez.

Personnel: Ben Adams: vibraphone; Erik Jekabson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Fred Randolph: acoustic bass; Mitch Marcus: tenor saxophone; Sameer Gupta: drums.

Press Contact: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
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May 24, 2006

Media Alert: Ben Adams Old Thoughts For A New Day Lunar Module Records 10010 Street Date June 13, 2006

CD Review www.jazzweek.com

Ben Adams Quintet
Old Thoughts For A New Day (Lunar Module)

BAY AREA-BASED VIBESMAN Ben Adams is still a young and relatively unknown commodity, yet he’s on to something on his third album. Here with trumpeter Erik Jekabson, bassist Fred Randolph, drummer Sameer Gupta and tenor saxophonist Mitch Marcus, Adams and company start in the straight-ahead vein but wander afield – this set of originals have the unexpected harmonies of Wayne Shorter’s compositions, the muscular musicianship of Dave Holland’s quintet, and usually a snappy restlessness that keeps the band moving forward. Highlights include a hard swinging “The Actual,” the classic sounding “Pocket Fiction” and the knotty “Conversations With Martin,” which rides the back of Gupta’s rhythms. Sometimes the band slows it down to the point where they lose momentum (on the title cut in particular), but these dry patches are only occasional.
– Tad Hendrickson

May 14, 2006

Media Alert: Ben Adams Quintet/’Old Thoughts For A New Day’/10010

CD Review will be posted on www.ejazznews.com

Bebop not only lives….It reigns!! This is a group which edifies as they play!! Adams’s modern, contemporary approach to jazz vibes has a flair for the joyful....Certainly the creative......His gifts include a warm sumptuous tone with great accuracy, control, and imagination. His tight band provide the necessary platform to deliver his craft in sound order as well. His ability to keep the melodic & harmonic content candid, animate, & extensive has to serve him well as he emerges more on the jazz scene. These characteristics must help him as well to assimilate softly within any jazz group.....ergo, he must be very ‘easy’ to work with. I must say subjectively that I enjoyed listening to this disc immensely!

George W. Carroll/The Musicians’ Ombudsman

All Music Guide

Review by Jonathan Widran

As the title of this colorful, multi-mood jazz date promises, the innovative vibist is entering a new realm in which he's the main composer but the glorious ghosts of his inspirations are clear for all to hear. Ben Adams included a few originals on his critically acclaimed debut, The Figured Wheel, and then devoted Music for Six to the music of composer Todd Brindley Hershberger. On this collection, he and his explosive Bay Area-based quintet tap into those old thoughts for motivation, but the stellar material is all new. Vibe-wise (pun intended), the richly textured tracks range from the seductive and subtle beauty of the lullaby "Avery's Bedtime Song" to the swinging, hard-blowing "Conversation with Martin," the melancholy and slightly off-tone "Patron Saint of Lost Causes," and the bright, brassy Wayne Shorter tribute "The Actual." The most fascinating aspect of the set is the many ways Adams uses his shimmering vibes as the bright lead melody over the darker tones of the title track, as a charged vehicle for improvisation (as on "The Actual"), and as a gentle harmony element behind the scorching horns of Erik Jekabson (trumpet, flügelhorn) and Mitch Marcus (tenor sax) on "Ghost at Infancy." A treat for serious vibes fans as well as adventurous, forward-thinking jazz fans in general, Old Thoughts for a New Day predicts a bright future ahead for both Adams and the tradition of his cherished instrument.