Alexander Hawkins Posted June 5, 2017 Report Posted June 5, 2017 I just wanted to give this one its own thread - although I did mention it previously elsewhere, it got buried quite fast! At any rate, I have a new release, which I'd really love for people to check out. It's a double album. The first half is more music from my sextet, whilst the second half comprises the first release of my large ensemble music. Here's a link to my bandcamp page, where it's available: Alexander Hawkins Unit[e] The physical release date isn't actually until July 7th (though I will have copies before then); but for digital listeners, it's now available The full personnel etc. is listed over at the Bandcamp link. Finally, as a bit of a bonus, despite being a double album, it is priced as for a single, in the hope that this might entice a few people to listen who wouldn't otherwise! Quote
mjazzg Posted June 7, 2017 Report Posted June 7, 2017 The Ensemble tracks sound great on Bandcamp. I'll definitely be investing in a hard copy as soon as. I'm saving the larger ensemble tracks until then! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 8, 2017 Author Report Posted June 8, 2017 Thanks! Will update on hard copies very soon Quote
Hoppy T. Frog Posted June 10, 2017 Report Posted June 10, 2017 Fantastic stuff, as always. Are you ever coming to America? Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 11, 2017 Author Report Posted June 11, 2017 Thanks so much for listening! I guess at this point I have to be slightly circumspect with the details of the America question, just because the show in question hasn't been announced yet (my guess is it will be soon), but yes - really happy to be coming to Chicago at the start of September...sadly that's a one-shotter, so nothing else planned at this time! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 12, 2017 Author Report Posted June 12, 2017 Just upping this as I now have some physical copies I can sell...please do PM me if interested! It's a double album, and having just been to the Post Office, I can send it (including P&P) to the UK for £11.50 total, and £15 to the US or EU. Other countries, I'm totally happy to do, but will need to double check postage. Paypal is preferable... Thanks for considering it! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 14, 2017 Author Report Posted June 14, 2017 Many thanks indeed - these are on their way! Quote
Clunky Posted June 15, 2017 Report Posted June 15, 2017 Received today . Managed a brief listen to disc one. Sounds very promising . Quote
mjazzg Posted June 19, 2017 Report Posted June 19, 2017 Having now spent some time with disc.1 of this release I can only say that it's a triumph. It's interesting to hear the Ensemble eight years on from the first release on FMR. There's undoubtedly a very strong thread running between them and despite the personnel changes the characteristics of the music and the playing are immediately identifiable. There's still that marvellously wonky gait that propels the more uptempo numbers.The Ensemble sounds more cohered and much of the disc is characterised by ensemble rather than solo playing. No one player shines but all play an equally integral part in the success of the whole emerging at different times to make individual statements. The key to all of this has to be the compositions all of which achieve a fine balance between complexity with accessibility. To start with a Jerome Cooper tune is a real statement of intent and one that fair leaps out of the speakers. I'd recommend this to anyone with open ears who wants to hear some fine contemporary (and British, for what that's worth) players playing memorable compositions in a non-straight ahead manner. I remember posting about the first Ensemble disc and mentioning Threadgill - it's still that type of beguiling and complex music, driven by great tunes and some definite groove. And to think I once gave the guitarist my spare copy of a Paul Motian LP - I can hear some Motian in this music too! And now I've got to try the large Ensemble disc.. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 20, 2017 Author Report Posted June 20, 2017 21 hours ago, mjazzg said: Having now spent some time with disc.1 of this release I can only say that it's a triumph. It's interesting to hear the Ensemble eight years on from the first release on FMR. There's undoubtedly a very strong thread running between them and despite the personnel changes the characteristics of the music and the playing are immediately identifiable. There's still that marvellously wonky gait that propels the more uptempo numbers.The Ensemble sounds more cohered and much of the disc is characterised by ensemble rather than solo playing. No one player shines but all play an equally integral part in the success of the whole emerging at different times to make individual statements. The key to all of this has to be the compositions all of which achieve a fine balance between complexity with accessibility. To start with a Jerome Cooper tune is a real statement of intent and one that fair leaps out of the speakers. I'd recommend this to anyone with open ears who wants to hear some fine contemporary (and British, for what that's worth) players playing memorable compositions in a non-straight ahead manner. I remember posting about the first Ensemble disc and mentioning Threadgill - it's still that type of beguiling and complex music, driven by great tunes and some definite groove. And to think I once gave the guitarist my spare copy of a Paul Motian LP - I can hear some Motian in this music too! And now I've got to try the large Ensemble disc.. Fantastic - thanks so much for this. Really happy you've enjoyed the Ensemble...fingers crossed for the large group! Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Posted June 26, 2017 Just wanted to bump this up with a couple of early reviews...this from Richard Williams, and this from Karl Ackermann at All About Jazz. Digital available here (also for streaming, for those who'd like to try it out!) Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted July 7, 2017 Author Report Posted July 7, 2017 Another small write up here! Thanks everyone for checking this out. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted July 21, 2017 Author Report Posted July 21, 2017 Nice review in the Guardian this morning! Quote
Clunky Posted July 21, 2017 Report Posted July 21, 2017 This disc has had plenty of spins in my house (and car!) over the past month. It's a 'piano in the background' kind of affair and allows the multifaceted Red demonstrate mastery of his orchestra. Good music, as the Duke himself surely would have said Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted July 24, 2017 Author Report Posted July 24, 2017 Thank you! Also just in, this very nice review. Quote
Clunky Posted July 24, 2017 Report Posted July 24, 2017 6 hours ago, Alexander Hawkins said: Thank you! Also just in, this very nice review. Good to read that I'm not the only one hear something Ellingtonia in the music. That excellent review makes we want to play the discs all over again. Quote
Clunky Posted August 15, 2017 Report Posted August 15, 2017 Nice review by Stewart Smith in September's Wire . Nice review by Stewart Smith in September's Wire . Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted August 16, 2017 Author Report Posted August 16, 2017 I believe the release date is around Nov 16 or Nov 17...mid November, at any rate Quote
mjazzg Posted August 16, 2017 Report Posted August 16, 2017 Great. Interesting article in Jazzwise whetted the appetite. Quote
Alexander Hawkins Posted August 17, 2017 Author Report Posted August 17, 2017 Thanks! Am really proud of this quartet music - excited to get it out there! Quote
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