This is Bastian Weinhold's debut album. According to Weinhold's website: "River Styx was recorded on a one day recording session on March 6th 2010 in Brooklyn, NY. River Styx includes work from the following artists: Adam Larson on tenor sax, Pascal Le Boeuf on piano and Rhodes, Nils Weinhold on guitars, Linda Oh on bass, and of course Bastian Weinhold on drums.
Weinhold describes River Styx as an album that "reflects emotions, thoughts and experiences I had in the last two years. While I composed the music I discovered, that I looked at the music in a way of little bits that started to move and fly slowly or sometimes faster through space. These bits sometimes crash but instead of breaking into even smaller bits, they stick together. After a while I realized that all these bits, that got stuck together created a moving, constantly changing sequence. After the first rehearsal for River Styx I was surprised to see that every time the music began, different little bits crashed and different bits got stuck together. Of course they formed another moving sequence, another picture frame and created a whole new story. On this CD you will listen to the most exciting stories which the music told us on March 6th 2010 (http://www.bastianweinhold.com/html/about.php?psi=28, 2011).
This is a very good compilation of interesting jazz sounds and instruments set to some fun beats. At times relaxing, at other fast and rhythmic. Always dynamic and interesting.
"The Tune" opens with piano and bass similar to the sunrise pictured on the cover of the album. The bass work, drums and tenor sax work is brilliant. Then the rhythm and beat pick up and the bass work gets even more intricate. The drum work from Weinhold sounds unique and interesting. The piano work is very relaxing even at the faster pace. Perfect for a walk or drive through Manhattan or Central Park on a spring or summer Sunday.
"Punkberry" opens quickly with some piano work which took me back to early Steely Dan for a minute before it moved back into that cool smooth jazz mode. The tenor sax, piano, bass and of course drums are varied and excellent, keeping you on your toes at all times.
"Kungafuh" is full of more great piano and tenor sax. The intricate piano, drum and bass work will keep you entertained and interested in this dynamic composition.
The drums and piano play a lead role on "EsSeeE", before the tenor sax climbs in to add its melody.
"The Last Line" is full of soft wonderful piano work mixed with bass and cymbals at the opening. Then the drums really kick in to provide more rhythm and motion.
"Space" has more of that Steely Dan organ influence at the opening, but leaves it behind quickly as it moves back into a smooth jazz collaboration full of great drums, tenor sax weaving in and out, and some wonderful bass work.
Slow moving piano, tenor sax and chimes open "River Styx". This ten minute epic traces the patterns of the river as is slowly moves bass, piano, and soft and hard drums through the channel, before the pace picks up and all manner of sound breaks loose towards the mid – way point.
Track Listing
- The Tune
- Punkberry
- Kungafuh
- EsSeeE
- The Last Line
- Space
- River Styx
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