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Put your hands on the remote! browse music »The Present Gift by The Joel Futterman/Ike Levin Duo
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fave it Free Jazz | Experimental
13 tracks | 56 minutes
Released Jun 2004
on Charles Lester Music (formerly IML Records)
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 09:26 Night Owl lyrics BUY MP3 09:26 Night Owl lyrics "GIFT MP3" 09:26 Night Owl
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 01:05 Respite lyrics BUY MP3 01:05 Respite lyrics "GIFT MP3" 01:05 Respite
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 00:57 Horizon lyrics BUY MP3 00:57 Horizon lyrics "GIFT MP3" 00:57 Horizon
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 06:24 Arrival lyrics BUY MP3 06:24 Arrival lyrics "GIFT MP3" 06:24 Arrival
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:54 Pathway lyrics BUY MP3 03:54 Pathway lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:54 Pathway
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:34 Eternal lyrics BUY MP3 02:34 Eternal lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:34 Eternal
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:35 The Present lyrics BUY MP3 03:35 The Present lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:35 The Present
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 10:03 The Gift lyrics BUY MP3 10:03 The Gift lyrics "GIFT MP3" 10:03 The Gift
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 01:56 Observation lyrics BUY MP3 01:56 Observation lyrics "GIFT MP3" 01:56 Observation
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:39 Remembering lyrics BUY MP3 03:39 Remembering lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:39 Remembering
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 01:27 Dream lyrics BUY MP3 01:27 Dream lyrics "GIFT MP3" 01:27 Dream
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:34 Tasty lyrics BUY MP3 03:34 Tasty lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:34 Tasty
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 07:28 Coolin' In lyrics BUY MP3 07:28 Coolin' In lyrics "GIFT MP3" 07:28 Coolin' In
Diverse and engaging improvisational music that takes the listener on a multitude of adventures in listening.
Editorial review
The sax/piano duo has often been a favored vehicle for free jazzers, and in the hands of Joel Futterman and Ike Levin, it leads to invigorating results. The two are a good match: expressive performers comfortable with the genre and vocabulary of free improvisation, who rarely, if ever, succumb to clich?s. While Futterman's frenetic clusters and reflective moments are a good foil for Levin's hard-nosed, hot tenor, the generally short tracks work to the group's advantage, keeping the listener somewhat off-guard, Futterman supplementing his piano with curved soprano sax and flute, and Levin countering with an arsenal of tenor sax, bass clarinet, and kalimba. Those who think of Futterman in terms of pure energy may be surprised at what a lyrical player he can be. While this album hardly represents a shift in direction for this extraordinary and underrated improviser, it does bring out facets of his personality that are not always evident in other recordings. There is enough variety and space, not to mention hard core bellowing, to make the instant CD an attractive listen, but in the end it is the raw, naked sound of a gutsy tenor and the slippery slopes of extraordinarily fluid fingers that give it that special zing. ~ Steven Loewy, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
This recording marks the 2nd collaboration between internationally renowned innovative pianist Joel Futterman and SF Bay Area reed player Ike Levin. This series of innovative musical dialogues between two adventuresome artists take the listener on a spirited emotional journey characterized by spiraling heights of intense passion and meditative depths of introspection. These two musicians creatively merge their unique voices into a coherent and stirring array of musical inventions while stretching the boundaries of tonality, rhythm, and harmony. Each original composition, created entirely "in the moment," unfolds unpredictably while maintaining a strong sense of purpose derived from attuned deep listening without attachment to any preconceptions. This is a tight improvisational duo whose hearts ears are open to each other. This recording offers another strong contribution to improvised music in the 21st century.
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About The Artists
Joel Futterman known for his spirited, highly imaginative, and radical technique is a veteran pioneer into the frontiers of spontaneous, improvised music. He is considered one of the foremost inventive and adventurous artists shaping the creative, progressive music scene today. He has performed and recorded with an array of notable jazz innovators including Jimmy Lyons, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Joseph Jarman, Richard Davis, Al Fielder, and Hal Russell, as well as Edward "Kidd" Jordan with whom he has had a highly productive association in recent years. Futterman has over 30 recordings to his credit and performs regularly throughout North America and Europe.
Ike Levin is a Chicago reed player now residing in the San Francisco Bay area where he is active in the developing new music scene. His robust, muscular tenor tone can range from edgy and piercing to breathy and sensuous displays full command of his instrument. Levin's strong, free improvisational talents are rooted in a reverence and appreciation for the blues, bebop, and contemporary chamber music. He studied with the legendary jazz saxophonist Joe Daley and Fred Anderson, co-founder of the Chicago based Association for The Advancement of Creative Music (AACM). Ike has performed with such noted jazz artists including Ira Sullivan, Wilbur Campbell, Von Freeman, Ed Petersen, Yancy Taylor, and Robert Porter, as well as leading his own small ensembles.
CD Media Coverage:
"This duo delight their fans and give the listening audience a taste of the unusual..." Lee Prosser, Jazz Review
"Only one word can describe this CD - (phroggin') H O T! These 2 have a level of communication down that most players can only dream about." Those listeners who especially dig improvised musics that aren't the same notes over and over will dig th' creativity of this duo..." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Dick Metcalf, Improvjazzation
"Levin and Futterman enjoy a discernible comfort zone via their often-emotive call and response type exchanges and adventurous fabrications. Moreover, this production sports extraordinary sonic characteristics, where every subtlety and nuance shines through in crystalline splendor." RECOMMENDED Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz
"These two are a good match: expressive performers comfortable with the genre and vocabulary of free improvisation, who rarely, if ever succumb to clichés. There is enough variety and space, not to mention, hard core bellowing, to make the CD an attractive listen, but in the end it is the raw, naked sound of a gutsy tenor and the slippery slopes of extraordinary fluid fingers that give it a special zing. 31/2 STARS. Steven A. Loewy, All Music Guide
"The listener is challenged by the intensity and breadth that these two artists bring to bear with their minimalist configuration. The result of color, passion, and occasional sweetness is a tribute to the art of "doing it in the now." Michael Handler, JazzWest Review
"Whereas most improvisational groups cling to the safety net of structure, and build their compositions around a formalized central figure, Futterman and Levin seem happy to fire and forget; their pieces are distinctly non-linear, non-repetitive journeys..." George Zahora, Splendid
"This CD representative of the free jazz genre features hard clusters and lots of free blowing, yet the duo is tightly attuned." Steve Koenig, All About Jazz
"Top flight aggressively creative music by two strong musicians." Jazz Times
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