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JASON RIGBY: THE ARCHER

TRACK The Archer

ARTIST Jason Rigby (tenor & soprano saxes, flute)

CD The Sage (Fresh Sound New Talent FSNT 328)

Musicians: Jason Rigby (tenor & soprano saxes, flute), Russ Johnson
(trumpet), Mike Holober (Rhodes), Cameron Brown (bass), Gerald Cleaver
(drums). Composed by Jason Rigby.

Recorded: New York, March 12, 2008.

RATING: 89/100

Every time I hear music like this, I remind myself that there was a contingent of listeners who hated
Miles's electric period. It seems so weird to me, considering how that stuff was all about the funk. What
about Sly and Parliament? I mean, it was OK for thm but not for Miles? Geez ... whatever!

I bring this up because on "The Archer," the groove burns so hot that I worry they'll hurt somebody in a
live setting someday (including themselves). Seriously, the rhythm section absolutely smokes, as does
Rigby - partly when he takes his own inspiring solo but especially when he pulls out those sly
Ornette-isms with trumpeter Russ Johnson. Drawing a parrallel back to the Miles/fusion thing (like an
archer draws his bow), it still amazes me that the genre was rejected.

Reviewer: Mark Saleski

Tags: 2000s jazz