CD Review of Loren Stillman - Winter Fruits on Pirouet @ jazz... http://www.jazzreview.com/cd/print-20760.

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Featured Artist: Loren Stillman

CD Title: Winter Fruits

Year: 2009

Record Label: Pirouet

Style: Progressive

Musicians: Loren Stillman (alto saxophone), Nate Radley

(guitar), Gary Versace (organ), Ted Poor (drums)

Review:

With his Bad Touch band, saxophonist Loren Stillman purveys polytonal attributes, and
largely dappled with textural mechanisms, for what equates to a cohesive and democratic
vibe, where all musicians perform on a like-minded plane. Stillman’s increasing significance
within jazz circles is evident via his solo outings and in-demand session status, paralleling his
band-mates’ firmly-rooted prominence as well.

Organist Gary Versace’s silvery notes help cast a radiant outlook to the band’s densely
enacted mode of operations, devised on climactically designed theme-building forays and
quirky deviations. Stillman and guitarist Nate Radley provide edgy soloing and multihued
treatments. However, one of the relished delights, pertain to the unit’s articulate phrasings,
abetted by swirling choruses and a potpourri of wide-ranging metrics. For instance, the
soloists’ quietly soar and render a moody vibe, coupled with a fractured jazz waltz atop
asymmetrical pulses on “With You,” as Stillman proceeds to deconstruct the melody line.

The artists continually push and prod each other’s viewpoints to form a bustling band sound,
that is partially built on their deliberate manner of gaining intensity as a given work
develops. Yet it’s a balanced attack, framed with assertive and introspective interplay as they
dig deep and seamlessly soar heavenward. Hence, Stillman produces an artistic musical
statement, enamored by the ensemble’s uncanny ability to fuse eloquence with spiraling
storylines. It’s all supercharged with the musicians’ impressive chops to complement their
synergistic group-focused interactions.

Record Label Website: http://www.pirouetrecords.com

Reviewed by: Glenn Astarita

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