Although Detroit has long been recognized as a Midwest epicenter of jazz, from which many legendary players have emerged, the adjacent city of East Lansing, should also be acknowledged for its notable pool of players, many of which have ties in some way to the fantastic jazz studies program at Michigan State University (MSU).

All members of “TechnoCats” have this MSU connection and thus composer Gregg Hill has taken full advantage of this talent proximity by way of his latest album TechnoCats: The Music of Gregg Hill.

This album cements Gregg Hill’s reputation not only as an excellent jazz composer but also as a producer. The variety of rhythmic tunes make the quartet cover many delicious emotional flavors, while grounded firmly in classic straight ahead mid-century jazz styles, it is music designed for contemporary times.

1. Come On Down (5:13)
2. Elden’s Bop (4:26)
3. Go Figure! (5:34)
4. I Want To Live (6:43)
5. Inside Straight (4:47)
6. Loisiana (5:08)
7. Never Forget (6:32)
8. Ristra! Ristra! (4:04)
9. Sunny Daze (5:14)
10. Thank You Notes (3:32)

Assured that this brand new album will have far reaching appeal to jazz fans across the spectrum, the opening track is the low slung Come On Down and that is followed by the quietly fervent Elden’s Bop, the more forthright rhythms within Go Figure! and then we get the beautiful I Want To Live and the gently rambunctious Inside Straight.

On an album that features many delicious emotional flavors, while grounded firmly in classic straight ahead mid-century jazz styles, along next is the studious Loisiana, which is itself backed by the playful Never Forget and the opulent Ristra! Ristra!, the album rounding out on the drum-veined Sunny Daze, closing on the languishing majesties found within Thank You Notes.

The dynamic “Technocats” band includes Chris Glassman, on bass trombone, Nathan Borton, on guitar, Michael J. Reed on drums, Xavier Davis, on piano and Javier Enrique, on bass. They showcase a wide range, depth and artistic maturity. Hill’s memorable themes are used as springboards for narratives by each member of this fine group with solos that are always tasteful, lyrical and accessible.

Musicians:
CHRIS GLASSMAN - bass trombone; NATHAN BORTON - guitar; MICHAEL J. REED - drums; XAVIER DAVIS - piano; JAVIER ENRIQUE - bass.

Official Website

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