RICHARD UNDERHILL: Moment in Time

Richard Underhill

Moment in Time

© 2005 Richard Underhill (774995777321)

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Straight ahead, hard swinging modern jazz, great writing and arranging, impeccable playing, audiophile sound.

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CD Reviews

'one of the best-sounding (CD's) of the year’

RICHARD UNDERHILL Moment In Time (Stubby) Rating: NNNN

It's hard to believe this follow-up to his 2003 Juno winner, Tales From The Blue Lounge, is only Underhill's second solo album. As a founding member of the Shuffle Demons and a noted session sax player who puts in time with Blue Rodeo, Underhill seems to have been around forever. This album, co-produced by Jono Grant and Underhill, continues to deliver the goods, and may be one of the best-sounding of the year. All the better to hear the intense rhythm section, especially on Perry's Place and Day Off, where the drums and bass create an organic, driving force for Underhill and keys master Luis Guerra to go off on wild warring solos. Competition here is healthy, bringing out the best in everyone, with Bob Brough's tenor sax sweetly countering Underhill's alto. A thoroughly modern take on modern jazz, à la Coleman and Hawkins. Brent Raynor

'a resolutely swinging affair, focused and mature'

Eye Weekly - Toronto - CD guide - Moment in Time ****

'For a long time, the word restraint didn't seem to be in Richard Underhill's musical vocabulary, but the man who led 900 saxists in playing the Hockey Night in Canada theme last year has delivered a small-group jazz album that sounds both focused and mature. Moment in Time is a resolutely swinging affair, mostly in a 1960s post-bop vein, featuring thoughtful and committed playing from Underhill and sidemen, as well as some memorable original charts. Occasionally, though, it feels more accomplished than exciting;its best moments, such as in the feverish drum 'n' bass-referencing "Morse Code," find the musicians exploring intriguing new territory. Should Underhill manage to imbue his current group more consistently with his Shuffle Demons' exuberant, experimental spirit, he'll surely turn the Canadian jazz world on its ear.'

'shape-shifting pieces that show off rich harmonies'

Toronto Star - Moment in Time (3 1/2 out of 4)

Richard Underhill of the Shuffle Demons won a 2003 Juno award for 'Tales from the Blue Lounge' and his strong follow 'Moment in Time' (***1/2) is surely in with a prize chance. It's official release is Tuesday at the Montreal Bistro. The alto saxophonist's quintet playing his 10 compositions has expert foils in tenorman Bob Brough and yet another Cuban piano prodigy, 21 year-old Luis Guerra. Underhill is comfortable and frequently thrilling in all areas and gets bustling aid from his pulse duos bassists Mike Milligan or Graig Earle and drummers Joe Poole or Daniel Barnes, plus occasional guests. The groups scramble effectively with contemporary, dense-themed and shape-shifting pieces that show off rich harmonies and opportunities for heady outside playing. Geoff Chapman


second album builds on considerable promise'

CODA - Richard Underhill Moment in Time Stubby Records SRCD-7732

Altoist/composer Richard Underhill's second disc away from the often-comic contours of The Shuffle Demons builds on considerable promise. While he works in familiar territory, Underhill has a keen ear for detail as a bandleader, a neat talent for finding the right elasticity in his tunes-not bad at all on a set that features the choice of two different bassists and three different drummers-and good lungs and ideas as a soloist. It all comes together especially well in sly tracks like "A Few Things" and "Chasing the Sun," which never stay quite the same as you might expect, while "Traffic" is fairly mischievous with Joe Poole's canny drumming. As for detail, check the opening of "Morse Code," with its sprinkles of piano (Luis Guerra) and pulse bass (Mike Milligan). Can we get a live album next? Randal McIlroy

Jere B INDEPTH:

Richard Underhill: Moment In Time

Stubby Records www.richardunderhill.com

Canadian Alto Sax Monster Richard Underhill’s “Moment In Time” is a Jazz Dream come true. It is a complete album, exhibiting all of the intensity, passion and grace of this rich history in the traditions of the true masters. There is no doubt that Richard Underhill’s excellent compositions will take their rightful place in the future book of standards. This album is a must have for any serious collector.

Underhill, 2003 Juno award winner (Canada’s equivalent of the Grammy’s ®) for his solo debut “Tales from the Blue Lounge” formed two very forceful rhythm sections for this new outing which punctuates the heterogeneousness of his magnificent playing. The constant presence of virtuoso pianist Luis Guerra and tenor sax master Bob Brough along with splashes of guest musicians make “Moment in Time” a timeless wonder.

“Perry’s Place” begins our trek into greatness with bassist Graig Earle and drummer Daniel Barnes laying down a powerful swing set for the hippest melody this side of the Potomac and then it’s right into a charismatic solo by Guerra, followed by a powerful statement by Underhill. Earle takes an opening bow on his towering bass with some fabulous co-signing by Barnes and you immediately understand that you just walked into a fabulous evening.

But wait. The very next tune, “Day Off” trades rhythm spaces with Mike Milligan on bass and smooth stickster, Joe Poole in the drum chair. With the addition of Brough harmonizing and schmoozing in on his fat tenor, the mood deepens, but swings just as hard.

Back to position one on the third offering “A Few Things” and the first band picks up where they left off when we arrived. Cuban born Guerra’s playing is exceptional in every respect. Whether he’s comping or soloing, he’s always in the pocket with fresh perspectives to add to the harmonic palette. The combination of Underhill and Brough is a tight fit and Bob gets to show his prowess as the band moves over and lets him go.

“Morse Code” has all the chroma of a frantic forest fire. It’s an unstoppable fury that destroys everything in its path. The static team of Earle & Poole provides the perfect storm for the lightening hot Luis Guerra to move from staggered 8th notes to vigorous solos as the mad saxophonists try to quell the drama to no avail, so they end up joining the may lay. Drummer Joe Poole's playing here is beyond intense. It’s psychotic with a control factor reminiscent of Max Roach. His alternating stick-n-brush work is marvelous. Pure Heat. This is my favorite track.

“Will of the People” follows. And just in time, too. It’s a poignant, thoughtful mid-tempo ballad to smooth things over while you try to recollect yourself. But this doesn’t mean the tune doesn’t have its own heat. After an assuaging 90-second introduction, the band settles on a recurring 4 bar obbligato that contemplates tension over tenderness. The saucy percussive textures provided by Joe Poole are perfect suspensions beneath the arc of Afro Cuban and traditional rhythms. Underhill delivers a smoldering solo and once again Luis thoroughly engages us in yet another profound solo.

At this point it’s probably best that I slow down and point out how intrigued I am with the genius of pianist Luis Guerra. At just 21 years old, this man is a prodigy. He’s Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett and Ahmad Jamal in one body. His playing is well beyond his years and I am looking forward to the inevitable solo album bearing his name as this unsung hero has an incredible gift to contribute to the world of jazz.

The next track, “Chasing The Sun” is my second favorite. The introduction of trombonist William Carn adds a new dimension to the evening and provides a robust punch to Barnes’ snap happy snare. Earle’s lanky bass romps along square in the pocket as Guerra dances all through the groove. The great thing about an Underhill composition is his approach to pacing. He knows how to stir up a groove, slow it down to a simmer and then allow it to boil in its own energy. The pace of this as well as the other tunes on this album is acutely synergistic.

“Waiting for Something to Happen” rolls right into focus without warning and expresses the aforementioned pace I just spoke to. You can feel the stretch of the elastic measure as emphasized by Milligan’s pliant bass. He grants us insight to his approach with a remarkably snug solo, which while delicate, tugs at our imagination. The swing of this song is irrefutable. The band weaves in and out of tempo – from none to mid to fevered & cascading and back. Anything can happen as Luis’ piano asserts. The playful motif after his solo provides ample ground for Poole to explore before climbing back onto the magnetic melody for the ride home.

“Traffic” is pure fusion. And pure fun! And this time Milligan and Poole hang around for the ride. The tune is as light and airy as it is deep and cunning. Everyone gets a turn at the wheel as we whisked about the city, sometimes a little air bound, but always with our eyes open. The scene is Downtown Toronto and you might get bumped if you’re not paying attention, but Poole’s careful drumming and spirited solo navigates us through the underpass without a scratch. I particularly love the interplay between the ‘car horn beeps’ and the drums. Ingenious. If I were forced to pick a third, this would be it!

We slow down again at “3 AM.” Our early morning (or very late night) tryst is introduced by Captain Guerra and once again the participation of Carn’s vibrant trombone adds a unique flare, this time with solo firmly in hand. This song is smothered in elegance and you wish all after hour joints were as plush. Earle’s nimble playing caresses your senses and makes you forget about sunrise. This is the ‘moment in time’ Underhill must have been referring to.

The album ends with “Where Were You When The Lights Went Out?” an ode to a day of celebration where, according to Underhill, the city of Toronto “shook off our digital shackles and became a small town again.” This song is pure Crusaders music, circa 1977. Luis assumes a Fender Rhodes piano and Earle is joined by guest drummer Davide Direnzo, whose cymbal work, rimshots and starlit snare construct a festive climate in which fellow invitees, percussionists Jono Grant & Samba Elegua, along with additional tenor saxophonist Chris Gale join Carn and the crew in the middle of the street for a late night parade…makes me want to shut off my computer for a day! NOT!

From beginning to end, “Moment in Time” is nothing but pure delight. Every song is fresh and unique with a story all of its own. The one dynamic that is continually inspiring as I replay the music over and again is Underhill’s use of the alternating rhythm sections and how they are sequenced throughout the album so each song possesses its individuality though you never lose context or structure. The recording and mix is flawless and the ‘sound’ of the record is as warm as early June. You hear and feel every nuance and texture no matter how intense the band’s playing, you maintain a solid footing throughout. When I became interested in writing reviews, I wanted to make sure that I spotlighted indie musicians, who for the most part are still under the radar of the masses. When I listen to exceptional composer/musicians like Richard Underhill, I am very glad I chose this path, for I am thrilled to present his music to you. Happy Listening!

'Moment in Time,' is an exciting new album showcasing 10 adventurous original compositions brought to life by an extraordinary band of Canadian jazz veterans and young lions. A powerful follow up to his 2003 Juno Award winning CD 'Tales from the Blue Lounge,' 'Moment in Time,' shines on the strength of melodic compositions and great playing. The tunes are memorable, the performances compelling and the sound of the CD is superlative. This is hard swinging modern jazz with
hard bop, bossa and modern rhythmic influences. Featured on the recording is 21-year-old Cuban piano wizard Luis Guerra
who places Underhill's singable melodies in a modern harmonic context. This is straight-ahead modern jazz in the style of Brad Mehldau or Joe Lovano. The arrangements are excellent, the songs are catchy, the band impeccable and the playing
passionate. Underhill's songwriting is crisp and poignant. 'Will of the People,' 'Morse Code' and 'Day Off' shine...great tunes played by a killer band. Toronto tenor legend Bob Brough is back on this 2nd Underhill release and he brings a depth of feeling and emotion to the recording.Also featured are bassist Mike Milligan (a former Shuffle Demon and Claude Ranger band
member) and drummer Joe Poole, who routinely draws comparisons to Brian Blade for his unique combination of power and sensitivity. Special guests on the recording include impeccable trombonist William Carn, and hard-edged tenor sax man Chris Gale and drummer Davide Direnzo. Four of the tunes feature the hard swinging rhythm section of drumme Daniel Barnes and bassist Graig Earle. The CD was recorded at Cherry Beach sound, and was produced, edited and mixed by award winning producer Jono Grant. Grant has once again achieved the audiophile quality sound that gave 'Tales from the Blue Lounge'
a warmth and depth. The feel is at once classic and modern.

10 new compositions by prolific composer Richard Underhill

1. PERRY'S PLACE (5:51)
2. DAY OFF (5:23)
3.A FEW THINGS (5:55)
4. MORSE CODE (6:03)
5. WILL OF THE PEOPLE (6:46)
6. CHASING THE SUN (4:37)
7. WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN (7:11)
8.TRAFFIC (5:01)
9. 3 AM (4:30)
10.WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT? (8:19)

Musicians:
Richard Underhill - alto sax / composer / arranger
Bob Brough - tenor sax
Luis Guerra - piano/rhodes
Mike Milligan - bass / Graig Earle - bass
Joe Poole - drums / Daniel Barnes & Davide Direnzo - drums
William Carn - trombone
Chris Gale - tenor sax

Richard Underhill:Biography

Richard Underhill's wonderful warm alto sound, great writing and
arranging skills and in-from-the-outside soloing make him one of
Canada's most distinctive jazz performers. Richard won a 2003
Juno Award for his jazz debut 'Tales from the Blue Lounge.' He
was nominated for the Prix du Jazz at the 2003 Montreal Jazz
Festival and his debut video 'The Old Guys'climbed to number 1
on the Bravo! video chart.The founding member of Toronto's
acclaimed Shuffle Demons, he has toured Europe and Canada
to critical acclaim for over 20 years. A truly original jazz composer
and arranger, Richard's exciting original music captivates
audiences with singable melodies, outstanding musicianship and
engaging performances.

Richard has performed and recorded with Han Bennink, Julius
Hemphil, the Hemispheres Orchestra, NOMA, Dr. John, Paul
Cram, Taj Mahal, Maria Muldar, Molly Johnson, Rob McConnell
and Toronto jazz stalwarts like Reg Schwager, Jake Langley,
Steve Koven, and George Koller. In demand as a session player
and sideman, he has written horn and string arrangements for
Kathleen Edwards, Molly Johnson, Andy Stochansky, Hawksley
Workman, Blue Rodeo, Bobby Wiseman, and Lorraine Segato.
He leads several diverse groups including his jazz quintet, the
Funk Explosion and improvising electronic group Astrogroove.

reviews

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  • BRAVO Underhill
    author: Jimmy Jones

    This is very nice jazz. We all know Underhill as a Canadian Jazz Phenom. Right. So he wrote some of these blessed songs around the time of the great power outage in Toronto. Richard hired a thin Cuban for the piano bits and off to the races they went. This is classy jazz. perfect for lovers and university professors. The cd is amazing. Perfectly produced music.

  • Skimpy dresses,simply superb.
    author: Ms. Frisky Freida Lepkiewicz

    Best kept jazz secret north of the 49th parallel. With the hyper magnum sound. like they did with Eric Alexander's Gentle Ballads 1&2 cd's out of Japan on the Venus Record label. Richard Underhill is brilliant. $$$ to doughnuts he keeps the club owners happy,healthy and the patrons extra horny. Aaah...just the way Frisky Freida likes it!

  • Not again...I caught a case?
    author: Buzz from Pelican Bay Correctional facility

    This and only me Bible and a fresh water keep me spirits soaring. Hey real quick folks...i am not likely to get out for a whiles so i need some relief from the crushing walls. I did make it to a jazz club in Friscoma few moons ago. I saw this cat Underhill puffin' away on the sax. Now when i look back i know he was a great one. If only i could get more batteries for me disc playa? 5 minutes of internet time is alls i got for now. If i close me eyes i can visualize this cat playin...that's all ive got to hold onto. For a little whiles anyway.

  • I don't know much about jazz but I know what I like...
    author: spot-the-dog

    I don't know much about jazz but I know what I like. I like a performer to embody the whole history of the music, without limiting the material to a fixed point. I like reference to the past, but on the understanding that music made 'today' must reflect the context of the music as it happens now, not how it happened then. I don't like it to say "It must sound like this," but instead "It could sound like that." Most of all, the players should illuminate an element of their own personality without falling into the common trap of reverential impersonation which only produces a kind of sterile imitation of Jazz. 'Moment in Time' is therefore, for me at least, a perfect Jazz album. The collection is stuffed to bursting with variety and contrast in material and endeavour, and overflows with the 'real Jazz' and not just the stuff that sounds like it. ’Moment in Time’ demonstrates that Jazz, although a modern musical irrelevance, can, when performed with honest integrity, easily take on the mantle of Art, and still be groovy and entertaining; and that aint no bad thing - no Sir!

  • Great new music!
    author: Jeff B

    Really well put together new compositions. Not straightahead or mainstream, but still very much jazz. Great rhythm sections, and Richard Underhill has a great ear for good melodies & harmonies.

  • Wonderful splendor
    author: Miss. Cassandra Tan-Phan

    I just love the sentiments that this warm cd offers. I can't say. I know it to be so lovely and reminiscient of my life in northern Vietnam. Oh so long ago. I was and am to this day the daughter of a cultured diplomat who used to partake,on many of occassions, (in the cultural panderings and pleasures offered by his higher service to the country). I have been graced with some of fathers loves. The almost childlike glee that i feel when a saxaphone bubbles,bellow and finally...burps(with obvious laboured exhalations). Now, i am relocated in New Jersey...serving my new country with honour and happiness. That i found Moment In Time is a blessing. It is meant to be shared in what we call double happiness. Have you not heard it yet? Oh poor fellows and window washers of our fair city. Please ignite your bic lighters,have your nice afternoon little cigarette and then sprint on down to your local shop-keeper or fine retailer...and just part with your feeble currency. Trust this little queen bee, on these favourable points. Richard Underhill's music is a rarer than the steak tartare? Tastier than honey glazed ham with a scrumptious serving of Potato Gratin?

  • Bravo Stubby Records!
    author: Phyllis Peadmont

    This blessed bouquet of brillliant sounds and accoustic adventures is enticing to the listeners senses. I love this amazing sound quality. On the other hand...the peckish pianist; known as Senior Luis Guerra, is the foundation that Underhill builds upon. His romantic touches and his the loose structured dances pursue Richard's concrete alto boasts. These gents have a luscious chemistry together. You can hear every succulent note offered herein. Maninly due the recording quality. Whomever mastered this disc should get a Juno or a 'Jon-O' for their efforts. The up-right bass and robust sax puffers round out the elegent edges and combine texture with ambiance. You need only add a couple of bottles of wine to your party tp have kick start your session. Good thing too. Moment in time is a classic jazz albumn.

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