Slon (album)

Last updated
Slon
Slonalbum.jpg
Studio album by
Chicago Underground Trio
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2004 (2004-01-20)
RecordedApril 27–30, 2003 in Chicago
Genre Jazz
Label Thrill Jockey
Producer Bundy K. Brown
Chicago Underground Trio chronology
Flamethrower
(2000)		Slon
(2004)		 Chronicle
(2007)

Slon is the third album from the Chicago Underground Trio. The album was released in January 2004 on Thrill Jockey Records . This is their first release on Thrill Jockey, their first two albums were released by Delmark Records. The album was produced by Bundy K. Brown. The trio consists of Rob Mazurek on cornet, Noel Kupersmith on bass and Chad Taylor on drums. This is their last release with bassist Noel Kupersmith. Mazurek and Taylor have also combined as the Chicago Underground Duo [1] and with the Chicago Underground Orchestra. [2]

Contents

Overview

Slon combines the sounds of a traditional jazz combo with electronic overdubs. The songs were developed during their European No War Tour [3] and written over a one-month period [4] then recorded in Chicago. [3] The track "Palmero" includes recorded sounds from a Sicilian fish market. [3] This is their last release with bassist Noel Kupersmith, Jason Ajemian plays bass on their next release, Chronicle . [5]

Reception

Slon
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Pitchfork Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

In comparison to their earlier work, Gregory McIntosh of AllMusic writes that the combo is "more focused on an overall concept for the record as an atmospheric listen" and that the album "is a document of a band that has really hit its stride". [4] When commenting on the combo's use of computers John L. Walters of The Guardian wrote that they use them for "anything from ambient noise to throbbing riffs". He goes on to write that "Mazurek's inventive improvisations dance around Taylor's live, open-sounding kit, while Kupersmith's bass sound stays oddly, unfashionably low." [3]

Rex Butters of All About Jazz wrote that Slon has "heated high speed interplay and cold techno ice caps" and calls the musicians "gifted improvisers at the top of their game". [7] In CMJ New Music Report , Tad Hendrickson wrote that the production by Bundy K. Brown "helps bring the album into sharper focus" and calls the work "nicely done". [8]

Pitchfork's Mark Richardson noted: "although the Trio operate within a smaller sphere than many of their contemporaries, they remain open to possibility and produce inspired combinations of seemingly different sounds-- and the economical and engaging Slon is evidence that they're on to something." [6] Brian Baker of Paste called the musicians "phenomenal jazz talents interested in technological possibilities... as well as jazz's venerable heritage," and called the recording "an album of power, vision and conviction." [9]

John Schacht listed the album as one of his top twenty favorite albums of 2004 in Creative Loafing , calling the combo "the best jazz ensemble many jazz fans have never heard". [10]

Track listing

All tracks written by the Chicago Underground Trio

  1. "Protest" (6:29)
  2. "Slon" (4:56)
  3. "Zagreb" (6:39)
  4. "Sevens" (3:00)
  5. "Campbell" (6:57)
  6. "Kite" (4:35)
  7. "Palermo" (3:20)
  8. "Shoe Lace" (4:32)
  9. "Pear" (3:02)

Credits

Chart performance

YearChartPeak
2004 CMJ Top 75 70 [11]
CMJ Jazz Albums6 [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Underground (jazz ensemble)</span> American avant-garde jazz ensemble

Chicago Underground is an avant-garde jazz ensemble formed in Chicago in 1997 based around the core duo of cornetist Rob Mazurek and drummer/percussionist Chad Taylor. They have recorded and performed as the Chicago Underground Duo, Trio, Quartet or Orchestra depending on how many additional musicians are included. The ensemble which has released numerous recordings on the Thrill Jockey and Delmark labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Mazurek</span> American musician

Rob Mazurek is an American composer, cornetist, and visual artist based in Chicago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug McCombs</span> Musical artist

Douglas McCombs is an American musician who plays bass and guitar with the instrumental rock band Tortoise and leads the instrumental band Brokeback. He is also the longtime bassist for the rock band Eleventh Dream Day. In 1997, he formed Pullman with Bundy K. Brown, Chris Brokaw, and Curtis Harvey, with whom he released two albums. In May 2018, McCombs replaced Eric Claridge as the touring bassist with Chicago jazz-pop outfit The Sea and Cake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revocation (band)</span> American technical death metal band

Revocation is an American technical death metal band from Boston, Massachusetts, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Dave Davidson, bassist Brett Bamberger and drummer Ash Pearson. The band has released eight studio albums, two EPs, and ten music videos since their formation.

Dani Siciliano is an American singer. She has worked with Matthew Herbert on several of his projects including the albums Around the House, Bodily Functions and Scale. She has also released two solo albums, Likes... and Slappers.

<i>Neutrons</i> (album) 1997 studio album by DK3

Neutrons is the second studio album by the jazz band DK3. It was released in 1997 through Quarterstick Records.

<i>Possible Cube</i> 1999 studio album by Chicago Underground Trio

Possible Cube is an album by Chicago Underground Trio which was recorded in 1999 and released on the Delmark label.

<i>Flamethrower</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Chicago Underground Trio

Flamethrower is an album by Chicago Underground Trio which was recorded in 2000 and released on the Delmark label.

<i>Playground</i> (Rob Mazurek album) 1998 studio album by Robert Mazurek Chicago Underground Orchestra

Playground is an album by Robert Mazurek Chicago Underground Orchestra which was released on the Delmark label in 1998.

<i>Synesthesia</i> (Chicago Underground Duo album) 2000 studio album by Chicago Underground Duo

Synesthesia is an album by Chicago Underground Duo which was recorded in 1999 and released on the Delmark label the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Taylor (drummer)</span> American musician (born 1973)

Chad Taylor is an American drummer, percussionist, and composer. Taylor leads both the Chad Taylor Trio with Brian Settles and Neil Podgurski and Circle Down with Angelica Sanchez and Chris Lightcap. He is a founding member of the Chicago Underground along with Jeff Parker and Rob Mazurek.

<i>Spiral Mercury</i> 2014 live album by Chicago/São Paulo Underground featuring Pharoah Sanders

Spiral Mercury is a live album by Pharoah & the Underground, featuring saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, trumpeter Rob Mazurek and drummer Chad Taylor of the Chicago Underground Duo, along with percussionist Mauricio Takara of the São Paulo Underground, bassist Matthew Lux of the Pulsar Quartet, and multi-instrumentalist Guilherme Granado. It was recorded on August 11, 2013, at the Jazz em Agosto Festival in Lisbon, and was released in 2014 by Clean Feed Records.

<i>Chronicle</i> (Chicago Underground Trio album) 2007 live album by Chicago Underground Trio

Chronicle is a live album by the Chicago Underground Trio, featuring trumpeter Rob Mazurek, bassist Jason Ajemian, and drummer Chad Taylor. It was recorded on July 21, 2006, at the German Cultural Center in Chicago, and was released in 2007 by Delmark Records in both CD and DVD formats, the latter directed by Raymond Salvatore Harmon.

<i>Chicago Underground Quartet</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Chicago Underground Quartet

Chicago Underground Quartet is the debut album by the jazz ensemble of the same name, featuring trumpeter Rob Mazurek, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Noel Kupersmith, and drummer Chad Taylor. It was recorded during August 2000 at Soma in Chicago, and was released in 2001 by Thrill Jockey.

<i>Good Days</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Chicago Underground Quartet

Good Days is an album by the Chicago Underground Quartet, featuring trumpeter Rob Mazurek, guitarist Jeff Parker, keyboardist Josh Johnson, and drummer Chad Taylor. It was recorded during 2018 and 2019 at Big Ego in Long Beach California, and was released in 2020 by Astral Spirits Records.

<i>Locus</i> (Chicago Underground Duo album) 2014 studio album by Chicago Underground Duo

Locus is an album by the Chicago Underground Duo, featuring multi-instrumentalists Rob Mazurek and Chad Taylor. It was recorded at Soma Electronic Music Studios in Chicago, Illinois, and was issued in 2014 by Northern Spy Records as the group's second release for the label.

<i>Boca Negra</i> 2010 studio album by Chicago Underground Duo

Boca Negra is an album by the Chicago Underground Duo, featuring multi-instrumentalists Rob Mazurek and Chad Taylor. It was recorded during May 2009 at El Rocha Studios in São Paulo, Brazil, and was released in 2010 by the Thrill Jockey label.

<i>12° of Freedom</i> 1998 studio album by Chicago Underground Duo

12° of Freedom is the debut album by the Chicago Underground Duo, featuring multi-instrumentalists Rob Mazurek and Chad Taylor. It was recorded during January and June 1997 at three different locations, and was released in 1998 by the Thrill Jockey label. Guitarist Jeff Parker also appears on three tracks.

<i>Titration</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Active Ingredients (Chad Taylor, Jemeel Moondoc, Steve Swell, Tom Abbs)

Titration is the debut album by the free improvisation ensemble Active Ingredients. Led by drummer Chad Taylor, it features alto saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc, trombonist Steve Swell, and double bassist Tom Abbs, as well as guest artists Rob Mazurek (cornet), David Boykin, and Avreeayl Ra (percussion). The album was recorded on July 5 and 6, 2002, and was released in 2003 by Delmark Records.

<i>Circle Down</i> 2009 studio album by Chad Taylor

Circle Down is an album by drummer Chad Taylor. It was recorded on December 20, 2008, at Systems Two in Brooklyn, New York, and was released in 2009 by 482 Music. On the album, Taylor is joined by pianist Angelica Sanchez and double bassist Chris Lightcap.

References

  1. ↑ Bush, John. "Biography: Chicago Underground Duo". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  2. ↑ Watrous, Rick. "Review: Playground". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Walters, John L (16 January 2004). "Full metal racket". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 McIntosh, Gregory. "Review: Slon". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  5. ↑ Nastos, Michael G. "Review: Chronicle". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  6. 1 2 Richardson, Mark (June 7, 2004). "Slon: Chicago Underground Trio". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  7. ↑ Butters, Rex (1 June 2004). "Chicago Underground Trio Slon". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  8. ↑ Hendrickson, Tad (26 January 2004). "Chicago Underground Trio Slon". CMJ New Music Report . 78 (849): 20. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  9. ↑ Baker, Brian (February 1, 2004). "Chicago Underground Trio - Slon". Paste. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  10. ↑ Schacht, John (29 December 2004). "List-O-Rama!". Creative Loafing . Charlotte, North Carolina. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "Top 75". CMJ New Music Monthly (121): 40. 2004. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  12. ↑ "Jazz Album Chart". CMJ New Music Report . 78 (11): 19. 16 February 2004. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.