ALEX WINTZ - Live To Tape
Outside In Music OiM 2035
Alex Wintz (guitar); Dave Baron (bass); Jimmy Macbride (drums)
Recorded Red Bull Studios, New York, 22 January 2019
Sometimes, it’s good to go back to basics. In these days of limitless multi-track recording, endless Pro-Tools tweaking and relentless overdubbing, it’s easy for the music to become secondary to the technology. So hats off to Alex Wintz for going into the studio with a stripped-down band and recording the fruits of its work in a single session, directly onto a Struder analogue tape machine. The idea to record this way came from Wintz’s friend, engineer Evan Sutton, and was inspired by the recordings made for the old Blue Note albums (the album cover artwork nicely reflects this).
Alex Wintz is a young guitarist from California, who has won various music awards and played at major jazz festivals including, Newport, Monterey and Montreux. His 2017 debut album, Lifecycle, was well received. On this album, he’s joined by bassist Dave Baron, who has played with artists such as Herbie Hancock and saxophonists Bill Evans and Joe Lovano. Drummer Jimmy Macbride has supported Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Barron and others. This is a tight band. Live In Tape consists of seven tunes – four originals and three covers. The opening number, Idris, is dedicated to the late jazz drummer Idris Muhammad and the 9-minute tribute has a heavy groove, with Wintz’s angular guitar lines twisting and winding their way along the track. What strikes you is Wintz’s gorgeous tone and his delicate touch, and it’s no surprise that, mid-way through the number, there’s a lively drum solo by Jimmy Macbride.
Dave Baron solos on the cheery On A Summer Day, inspired by the compositions of Mulgrew Miller and Kenny Kirkland. The rich, deep sound of his double bass is a testament to his playing and the recording process. The first cover is Herbie Hancock’s Textures from the 1980 album Mr Hands. As with many 80s recordings, the original version was a cornucopia of electronic sounds, but here, it’s transformed. The intro features a snappy bass vamp, delicate drum playing using hands rather than sticks, and rippling guitar lines with an echo effect, creating a dream-like opening. It’s a splendid arrangement.
There can’t be many jazz artists who would consider covering a song by the American Indie-Rock artist St Vincent (aka Annie Clark), but Wintz plays her song What Me Worry as a bluesy ballad and it’s a good cover. Wintz’s constant travelling as a musician probably explains why the next two tunes are named after places, the lively Ely, Mn (a US town) and the dreamy ballad Cadeques (a Spanish town).
The album closes with the American songbook classic I’m All Smiles, covered by artists such as Andy Williams and Barbara Streisand. Many jazz artists have also covered it including, Bill Evans, Betty Carter, Diane Reeves, Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan. Wintz’s trio deliver a sparking near 7-minute version that highlights the guitarist’s impressive chops. If you are a fan of jazz guitar trios or enjoy listening to guitarists such as John Scofield or Jim Mullen, then you won’t be disappointed by this fine album.
Reviewed by George Cole
Outside In Music OiM 2035
Alex Wintz (guitar); Dave Baron (bass); Jimmy Macbride (drums)
Recorded Red Bull Studios, New York, 22 January 2019
Sometimes, it’s good to go back to basics. In these days of limitless multi-track recording, endless Pro-Tools tweaking and relentless overdubbing, it’s easy for the music to become secondary to the technology. So hats off to Alex Wintz for going into the studio with a stripped-down band and recording the fruits of its work in a single session, directly onto a Struder analogue tape machine. The idea to record this way came from Wintz’s friend, engineer Evan Sutton, and was inspired by the recordings made for the old Blue Note albums (the album cover artwork nicely reflects this).
Alex Wintz is a young guitarist from California, who has won various music awards and played at major jazz festivals including, Newport, Monterey and Montreux. His 2017 debut album, Lifecycle, was well received. On this album, he’s joined by bassist Dave Baron, who has played with artists such as Herbie Hancock and saxophonists Bill Evans and Joe Lovano. Drummer Jimmy Macbride has supported Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Barron and others. This is a tight band. Live In Tape consists of seven tunes – four originals and three covers. The opening number, Idris, is dedicated to the late jazz drummer Idris Muhammad and the 9-minute tribute has a heavy groove, with Wintz’s angular guitar lines twisting and winding their way along the track. What strikes you is Wintz’s gorgeous tone and his delicate touch, and it’s no surprise that, mid-way through the number, there’s a lively drum solo by Jimmy Macbride.
Dave Baron solos on the cheery On A Summer Day, inspired by the compositions of Mulgrew Miller and Kenny Kirkland. The rich, deep sound of his double bass is a testament to his playing and the recording process. The first cover is Herbie Hancock’s Textures from the 1980 album Mr Hands. As with many 80s recordings, the original version was a cornucopia of electronic sounds, but here, it’s transformed. The intro features a snappy bass vamp, delicate drum playing using hands rather than sticks, and rippling guitar lines with an echo effect, creating a dream-like opening. It’s a splendid arrangement.
There can’t be many jazz artists who would consider covering a song by the American Indie-Rock artist St Vincent (aka Annie Clark), but Wintz plays her song What Me Worry as a bluesy ballad and it’s a good cover. Wintz’s constant travelling as a musician probably explains why the next two tunes are named after places, the lively Ely, Mn (a US town) and the dreamy ballad Cadeques (a Spanish town).
The album closes with the American songbook classic I’m All Smiles, covered by artists such as Andy Williams and Barbara Streisand. Many jazz artists have also covered it including, Bill Evans, Betty Carter, Diane Reeves, Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan. Wintz’s trio deliver a sparking near 7-minute version that highlights the guitarist’s impressive chops. If you are a fan of jazz guitar trios or enjoy listening to guitarists such as John Scofield or Jim Mullen, then you won’t be disappointed by this fine album.
Reviewed by George Cole
