Inner Circle Music

relyles · December-10th-2008, 10:42 AM

I have been a fan of Greg Osby for over twenty years and was very excited when he told me that he was starting his own label. For one, it had been several years since Osby’s last release on Blue Note and I wanted to hear what direction he was moving in. Second, Osby has always displayed a good ear for young talent.

The first release on the Inner Circle Music label was Osby’s own 9 Levels, which continues Osby’s pattern of producing compelling music. The label recently released the first batch of recordings by some of the other artists on the label. Most of the artists are new to me, but based on my confidence in Osby’s judgment of talent, I have purchased three so far, and plan to purchase the rest eventually.

The past two days I have been listening to Jacob Yoffee’s Dead Reckoning. I had never heard of Yoffee before, but he is apparently a protégé of Gary Thomas. There are a couple of familiar musicians on the disc. In addition to Thomas playing flute on two tracks, George Colligan plays piano throughout and trumpeter Sean Jones appears on two tracks. Any assumptions that all the artists on Inner Circle will have an approach similar to Osby’s do not apply to this recording. The music is comparatively “straight”, but Yoffee’s compositions are very interesting. Yoffee’s saxophone playing is impressive, with a tone not too dissimilar from Gary Thomas, just a bit softer. George Colligan is also impressive throughout. This one is recommended.

I also just picked up the releases by vibraphonist Michael Pinto and saxophonist Logan Richardson. These are the only two artists on the label I had some previous exposure to from Richardson’s Fresh Sound New Talent debut recording. I have only had a chance for a somewhat distracted hearing of the Pinto and have not listened to the Richardson at all yet. I plan to post comments once I have had a chance to absorb both releases. I also plan to purchase the remaining three or four releases on the label in the near future and report on my listening.

Gary Sisco · December-10th-2008, 10:51 AM

Sounds great. Keep those comments coming.

ghaswell · December-11th-2008, 02:17 AM

i checked out Jacob Yoffee and Logan Richardson's albums - nice stuff. Yoffee does remind me of Gary Thomas but with different writing and Richardson reminds me of Osby

jazzjock251 · December-11th-2008, 08:26 PM

This move by Osby clearly shows that he is putting his money where his mouth is. These days, not too many established artists would rally behind a group of not-so-well-knowns whose music does not follow familiar conventions. Osby has always had an ear out for the best in new ideas and talent and this roster of artists all seem to know who they are and where they want to go in the music. It's pretty refreshing to hear. I've purchased almost all of the CDs but have gotten a couple as downloads for iPod-only listening. There"s a lot of attention to detail, Both sonically and visually.

Perhaps Blue Note would have done well to have kept him signed on as an artist, A&R or to at least have appointed him as creative director or something. I don't know what the hell is going on over there (or at any of the other so-called "majors"). He's better off now, I think. And maybe soon this Inner Circle Music label will be regarded as a major as well.

Gary Sisco · December-17th-2008, 03:50 PM

I'm still digging *9 Levels* after months of regular play. Last week, I thought while adding things to my digital player, that having heard it at least four times a week and often daily, I'd make room for something else. But every time I heard an electric guitar that I liked again, I'd say to myself, I gotta hear Greg's new one again. So it stayed off the player a whole two days and is back on it again. (Stereo gear isn't up again yet after our move).

He's also crowding Abbey in aggressive release scheduling. Yikes.

On the strength of what I've heard so far, I ordered another Innercircle release, Michael Pinto's *Prologue.* And paid to download two others, Sara Serpa's *Praia* and Lauren Sevian's *Blueprint.* I'm not in the retail bracket anymore or I'd buy the others as well.

I'm looking forward to the new music.

Greg's turning into the hardest working man in jazz.

relyles · December-18th-2008, 10:13 AM

Gary - my initial reaction to the Pinto recording was favorable. He has a somewhat distinct compositional voice that will require some closer listening by me. If you have not checked him out yet, the Pinto recording may encourage you to also check our Logan Richardson who I think you will enjoy.

Gary Sisco · December-18th-2008, 10:39 AM

I think it's great that he's featuring some young women as leaders so prominently. And Sara Serpin's is an audacious release, a unique vocalist (to me) who uses her voice like an instrumentalist on some pretty damned tricky stuff. Good one. I hope Cookie hears this one.

Greg's really come out full blast and I hope people check it out and give him support for bringing out these great young people, and his own music, too, needless to say. I'm a longtime fan, too. He's a man fully committed to advancing the music and I'm totally behind him. One of the great bandleaders of his time.

newjazz · December-21st-2008, 11:26 AM

always been an osby fan. I wonder if jason moran will ever come over to his label?

jazzjock251 · December-21st-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newjazz

always been an osby fan. I wonder if jason moran will ever come over to his label?

That would be perfect, and timely. They made some memorable recordings together as a team. Actually, I preferred Moran's work when he was with Osby. I can't relate to his work under his own name so much. It's almost like he became a leader too soon or something. Everybody's a leader these days. a lot of them are sorely unqualified. I guess it's a matter of opinion and taste though.

relyles · December-22nd-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newjazz

always been an osby fan. I wonder if jason moran will ever come over to his label?

I suspect that as long as he remains viable to Blue Note, that probably will not happen.

jazzjock251 · December-22nd-2008, 12:21 PM

I don't think anyone who isn't a female vocalist is really viable or that important to Blue Note. Moran, Lovano or anyone else who doesn't sing can't really be selling a boatload of records. If Blue Note can release a player of Osby's caliber, after all the great music he's contributed to that catalog, no one's position is secure. Lovano already has his own independent label http://www.jslrecords.com/, so maybe he's preparing for the inevitable. Perhaps Moran may head in that direction too someday. At any rate, I'd love to hear him and Osby collaborate once again. I would go practically every night to see them at the Village Vanguard in the late 90's. It's rare to experience a connection like that anymore. If anyone has recordings or videos, hit me up.

relyles · December-22nd-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzjock251

If anyone has recordings or videos, hit me up.

PM sent.

Bill Barton · December-26th-2008, 11:30 PM

Hmmm... Sounds like I'll have to check out some of these discs! Thanks, Ronald. It would be great if Strata Institute could reunite for a recording. Osby, Coleman & Vonski... I can dream can't I?

relyles · January-6th-2009, 12:11 PM

For most of the morning I have been listening to the Michael Pinto recording and it is growing on me with each listen. It is a somewhat subtle recording - it does not smack you in the face. Instead, much of it has somewhat of a floating feel with occasionally shifting tempos. Pinto and Logan Richardson are both very effective sololists throughout and the rhythm section works well together. Very much worth a listen.

Gary Sisco · January-6th-2009, 12:32 PM

I'm looking forward to it.

newjazz · January-7th-2009, 10:59 PM

Osby used to have a bunch of free live shows on his website for download and a lot of them were with moran. Incredible stuff!
I heard pinto and richardson on a recording richardson made entitled cerebral flow and was blown away by that. I'm extremely excited to hear what they have put out on inner circle.

killenskillen · January-9th-2009, 04:45 PM

I ordered 5 of their new releases from the website. I wish I could list a favorite but each one have their own seperate vibe. Of course i enjoy the Osby 9 Levels. I knew i would on that. I found the Sara Serpa Praia a nice surprise because she is also a very nice composer so she knows how to place herself in her own world. Michael Pinto (Prologue) and Logan richardson( Ethos) have basically the same band members but their music is so different that it feels like another world. The Jacob Yoffee Cd Dead Reckoning is very strong. I have to get used to it. He has a direct sound. It works very well. These are some great CDs. I am satisfied with every one. Most of the time I am disapointed but I know I will listen to these for a long time. I will order the other ones today (payday) Lauren Sevian Blueprint and Meilana Gillard Day one. I have heard some demo online and I am sure they are amazing too.

bopgurl79 · January-12th-2009, 08:09 PM

Meilana Gillard "Day One" and Lauren Sevian "Blueprint! Yay gurlz!!! I plan to transcribe every sax solo on each of these!

Gary Sisco · January-13th-2009, 01:43 PM

Michael Pinto's is another good one.

gregosby · March-13th-2009, 01:01 AM

More amazing sessions to come soon. We have another batch of projects in production for a late spring or early summer release.

killenskillen · March-14th-2009, 09:14 AM

This weekend (3/12 - 14) with Logan Richardson's "Shift", the Jacob Yoffee Quintet, Lauren Sevians "LSQ", Michael Pinto and the "IE" band, and the Sara Serpa Group

Gary Sisco · March-16th-2009, 05:50 PM

This just in my email box: Greg Osby is Playboy Musician of The Year.