The review:
This CD of Peter Arthur Loeb's has become one my favorite jazz CDs. Four Of Me has vaulted to the top of the heap of my CD collection. One of the reasons I really enjoy Peter's playing and concept. saxophonist, pianist, bassist, and drummer Peter Arthur Loeb dives headfirst into a deep pool of sumptuous melodies. There are parts of his comping on piano that made me think of Jaki Byard. The way he plays drums, and stokes the compositions blows my mind. Not to mention the bass playing and solid time feel he gets on bass.
Peter's tenor playing is just out of this world with a great personal sound that is huge and internalized. I just adore his sound. It is often necessary to make a distinction between art and craft. Craft implies mastering technique to the degree that a craftsman is competent enough to skillfully reproduce the artifacts of the given art form. This means that one can sound convincing using the rules and customs of the music, which is no mean feat by the way. But art on the other hand utilizes and transcends mere technique to communicate the personal feelings of the artist in whatever manner. With this in mind, I have to say Peter Arthur Loeb has created artistic expression and arrived at true individual freedom.
Loeb's fascinations with the world of jazz and multi-instrumentalism is what binds this CD together. Peter Arthur Loeb loves the good old tunes as much as anyone. Check out Boo Hoo and hear how it is radically transformed yet the timeless grace of the melody is always respected. But, that is what jazz is supposed to be.
Also check out his charming originals such as Four of Me and B-B, both of which should have their place in the jazz repertoire, and Loeb more than proves that they deserve to be there.
This recording presents a remarkably eclectic, thoroughly engaging set of music. Peter Arthur Loeb is a modern jazz musician, and this is a fantastic album showcasing his phenomenal abilities. Without a doubt he should be on a major label, doing all the great festivals and playing world wide as a jazz artist.
I can't do this recording enough justice, except to say that it is different from any other jazz CD I have (I dig the cover art, as well). The storytelling poetry and conflagrant rhythms will hold your attention from the opening notes of Boo Hoo all the way through the final seconds of Timeless. I could not possibly recommend any other album more highly than this one. If you are a music lover in the purest sense, you have to own this CD. Buy it thru - http://www.palserv.com. Or E mail PAL@palserv.com.