Tracklist:

1. Newman's Informer [08:32]

2. Waiting For Andy [21:08]

3. Renee, Lost In Music [11:01]

4. Sunday Break [04:40]

5. Pick up Spot [02:51]

6. 4th Avenue, Adam's Block [13:39]

 

Line-up:

Rodrigo Amado - tenor & baritone saxes

Taylor Ho Bynum - cornet, flugelhorn

John Habert - double bass

Gerald Cleaver - drums

​

Recorded:

at Namouche Studios, Lisbon, September 20th, 2008

 

What the critics say:

The Clean Feed label has had a longtime relationship with Portuguese saxist Rodrigo Amado for a very good reason. Each of Ridrigo's previous half dozen discs on Clean Feed or his own European Echoes label have been gems worth savoring. Mr. Amado is simply one of the best and most consistently exciting saxists to emerge from the Southern region of Europe over the past decade. Rodrigo has also collaborated with Dennis Gonzalez & his sons and they all have played here at DMG on a couple of great occasions. For this disc Mr. Amado has chosen three of downtown finest musicians: Taylor Ho Bynum, John Hebert and Gerald Cleaver. Five of the six pieces here are improvised with one piece featuring a drum solo from Mr. Cleaver. Right from the gitgo of "Newman's Informer", the quartet erupts with burning baritone from Rodrigo, smoking cornet from Taylor and a most impressive flurry of tight activity from one of the finest rhythm teams assembled. Wow, what incredible energy, creativity and power!?! While Rodrigo slowly bends notes into different shapes, Taylor creates a series of interconnected notes which fill in just about every space that Rodrigo leaves between his notes. There is improvised that is very good and then there is improvised music that moves into the other realm of greatness or that cosmic connection. While sitting back and listening to this, it all came together as that indescribable magic appeared and took over. This piece starts solemnly with haunting baritone sax, somber bass and eerie cornet flutters, slowly building from there. The piece develops organically with a long, strong duet of bari & cornet that turns into an impressive quartet. What is great about this quartet is the way each members brings something special to the proceedings and helps in the direction or connections. John Hebert & Gerald Cleaver have worked together on a number of sessions and consistently sound great together, knowing when to increase or decrease the tempo or dynamics as well as as when to just lay out. "Pick Up Spot" is a short yet vibrant drum solo from Mr. Cleaver that connects two other spirited sections just right. I am not sure who the Adam of the CD title is that they are searching for, but I am sure that their search has lead them & us to a great place. 

 

(Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery)