17th December 2015: The Guardian and The Observer review NYSQ’s ‘Power of 10’.
NYSQ‘s latest recording, Power of 10 is their second release for Whirlwind and a tribute to their ten years of performing together.
Comprising David Berkman (piano), Tim Armacost (sax), Gene Jackson (drums) and Michael Janisch (bass), the hallmark of the group’s playing is an easy rapport with one another developed through ten years of playing together and interpreting jazz classics in a highly engaging and personal way.
They give the listener something familiar to grab on to, before throwing in the bends and quirks that NYSQ has become known for, creating modern shapes and visions of these well-known songs.
Here are the highlights from the first round of reviews received for Power of 10
“Deep High Wide Sky sounds like the Lee Konitz classic Subconscious-Lee, and Doll’s Phone Cause is a similarly byzantine bopper, driven hard by Janisch’s bass-walk. All of Me has an inventively reworked harmony and fresh rhythmic edge, an ominous Lush Life finds Armacost and Berkman reacting smartly to each other, and Hidden Fondness remoulds Secret Love as a vehicle for the gleeful collective energies of all four.”
The Guardian (full review)
”Phenomenally bright and resourceful playing.”
The Observer (full review)
“Their fresh interpretations of standards include beguiling versions of Lush Life, All of Me, Embraceable You and a Secret Love which is transformed into A Hidden Fondness.”
Northern Echo (website)
Here’s a full length version of Deep High Wide Sky from the album: