Round bout Now

george schuller quintet:
round'bout now
playscape recordings PSR#J021302

1) side car - miles davis	6:06
2) blackamoor - tom beckham	9:58
3) vat 19	8:24
4) quiet ruckus	8:20
5) circle in the round - miles davis	8:43
6) miles later	6:02
7) having big fun	10:28
8) filles de kilimanjaro - miles davis	7:46

[To purchase Round'bout Now and other George Schuller CD's, please visit CD Baby.]

ingrid jensen , trumpet; donny mccaslin, soprano & tenor sax, alto flute; tom beckham, vibes; dave ambrosio, bass;george schuller, drums, cymbals and things you shake.

with special guests:

pete mccann, guitar; matt darriau, kaval & bass clarinet; sonny barbato, accordian.

recorded at the studio, new york, march & april 2002

all compositions by george schuller (schulldog music/bmi) except where noted.

Finally, after four years of regular live performances, this elastic quintet makes its recorded debut on the Playscape Recording label, documenting what AllAboutJazz calls their "rigorous, unpredictable approach to group improvisation." Entitled Round'bout Now, the new release pays tribute to Miles Davis' pre-fusion transitional period, as documented on records like Circle in the Round, Filles de Kilimanjaro, Water Babies and In A Silent Way. As in his other groups, Schuller's inclusive compositions and arrangements provide the ideal framework for the improvisational abilities of his talented collaborators. Along with the regular members of the quintet, special guests include Pete McCann on guitar, Matt Darriau on kaval and bass clarinet, and Sonny Barbato on accordian.

REVIEWS & COMMENTS

"The thing that makes this date magical is the way the horns often float above the vibes/bass/drums, moving in exquisite waves together ... This is a fine date that simmers and sizzles nicely without ever getting too intense, yet remains engaging throughout." — Bruce Gallanter/Downtown Music Gallery (Dec. 19, 2003)

"... utterly contemporary in its expansive embrace of ethnic and multicultural tones. Percussionist/bandleader Schuller has assembled a terrific ensemble, including saxophonist Donny McCaslin, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and vibist Tom Beckham, and guest musicians Matt Darriau (kaval, bass clarinet) and guitar Pete McCann provide colorful touches to the effort, which imagines what sort of approach Davis would bring to his sound if he were alive today."
— Seth Rogovoy, Berkshire Eagle (Jan. 14, 2004)

"Round‘bout Now succeeds in capturing the essence of a more or less overlooked period in Miles’ evolution. Thoughtful, articulate and inspired, Schuller and the group clearly understand the way in which Miles was carefully pushing things in new directions. And, like Miles, while they incorporate inspirations from other sources, their take is altogether unique; this is an album that, without being aggressive about it, pushes the boundaries of group improvisation." — John Kelman/AllAboutJazz (Jan. 2004)

"The disc crackles from the tension between acoustic and electric instruments, between yearning, melancholy post-bop and early, non-funky, darkly ambient fusion, between bidding goodbye to one epoch and saying hello to another, then forget if it’s coming-or-going." — Mark Keresman/Jazz Review (Jan. 2004)

"We, who've followed the guru [Mile Davis], bow to this most personal post-Miles with unique Schuller inventiveness and astute musicians who add spice to this 'bout now." — Dick Crockett <bopndick@yahoo.com> (Feb. 2004)

"Although Davis' music from that era is gradually being rediscovered, relatively few musicians have chosen to expand upon it and be creative within the genre. Schuller's group succeeds admirably." — Scott Yanow/All Music Guide (Feb. 2004)