Tea Tree

[miker29]

Hey all,

I invite you jazz fans to check out http://teatree.bandcamp.com. Its a free form experimental project (with strong elements of swing/bebop) that I had started with a friend back in 2005. Any fans from this sub-genre please evaluate the tracks and let me know what you think. This was material taken from the first official album. Since then there has been about 4 or so more LPs proceeding it. Thanks

[Guest Bill Barton]

There's some very enjoyable and interesting music here, well worth checking out. Too bad that no musician credits are included on the site though. I'm impressed with the pianist. So far, "Hyperspace &" is the track that reaches me the most. Thanks for the link.

[AllenLowe]

listening now - good stuff.

Some of the drums sound a little sloppy instead of open - I like the overall concept - still problems with the drummer who sounds stiff and not quite ready for prime time. Nice theme on 1.

Overall I like the pianist (sounds like an acoustic synth sound) - he has a few issues with developing his ideas; I could be wrong but he sounds relatively inexperienced to me. But he's the one who captures me the most and whose playing has the most possibilities. Who is he? I'm impressed, as he has his own thing.

I also like how focused the performances are. Pianist needs to learn how to turn those little "motifs" into solid ideas, but he's clearly feeling his way. Still, he has to figure this stuff out. The way he plays, I think he will.

(hope I haven't hurt anyone's feelings) -

[AllenLowe]

anybody there? Still very curious who the pianist is -

[miker29]

Thanks for all of the great feedback, I really appreciate it. Your dead on, my uncle said the same thing and he's a jazz enthusiast. He said I needed to flesh my ideas out with some more direction. Plus you're right about me not having as much experience in this field: I'm an amateur, but I can still do some good hooks with what I've got. I'm going to see if I can go back to the website and see if its even possible to put down who I am and what I did. My name is Mike Reid and I'm responsible for the piano and bass parts. Thanks a lot for your interest. Do you like T. Monk? He was my favorite jazz pianist, and its who inspired me to do this music. As time went on I released more albums (mostly solo work) where I addressed some of the lack of continuity.

[miker29]

Okay, I added the credits. Its up there now who did what. Thanks

[AllenLowe]

I can hear the connections - sometimes with that particular approach it's just a matter of listening and repetition. As Ornette famously said, you can make mistakes playing free as well. I liked the piano parts very much, it's just a matter of increased focus.

[miker29]

Got some new songs up, and more coming.

[randyhersom]

Presumably not the former Penn State and pro linebacker who gave up football for music?

[miker29]

Was that supposed to be some strange insult? I don't get it...

[jazzbo]

I don't think that it was meant as any kind of insult, strange or otherwise. More like. . . "I suppose it's not. . . " Least that's how I read it.