Into the Woodwork

I never get enough of Steve Swallow's bass guitar playing and his compositions. This is another wonderful band anchored by Carla Bley's organ. Seriously fun and seriously serious.

Great writing and excellent ensemble playing from the whole band. Love Carla Bley's organ playing (not heard enough.) Jorge Rossy compliments the music very well, conjuring up memories of Bob Moses' playing with Swallow at times, especially in 3/4.

Very different, just what to expect from swallow. One of those that is so different that you keep going back to listen over and over Quality of musicianship is something that is abound in jazz, but the type of musicianship played in those arrangements are so very good Expect to either love or hate That is what swallow does best

Such an amazing adventure down every road. New, refreshing, with Steve Swallow at the helm, how could you go wrong. A wonderful musical experience.

Carla plays only the Organ on these sessions giving the tunes a vintage sound yet never sounding 'old'. On the contrary, i think that most records by Swallow and Carla will still sound fresh and with an edge for many years to come. Great writing and playing (of course!). Steve Cardenas is a guitarist i had not heard but sure one to keep an eye on from now on. Chris Cheek and Jorge Rossy are also of a newer generation of jazz players which fit perfectly in this ensemble. The tunes are of the kind you'd come to expect from Swallow and Carla (written by Swallow) and the electric bass sound is still intact (the warmest, rounder and most up front bass sound you'll ever hear). Another one to treasure and never let go.

this is another masterful episode in the artistry of Steve Swallow and Carla Bley. all the pieces are well crafted, the interplaying is exquisite, and the result is elegant.

Just doesn't get there. Almost boring, plodding. It has it's quirky moments but not enough to overcome the low energy.

Ho avuto la fortuna di sentire dal vivo la formazione del CD, e devo dire che anche l'album di studio riesce a trasmettere quelle emozioni intense provate al concerto. Stupendo.

Das vorbildlich realisierte Projekt ist nicht unbedingt ein Muss für eingefleischte, puristische Jazzanhänger, sondern eher als zu erforschendes Neuland für Einsteiger bestens geeignet. Die 12 Miniaturen aus der Feder des Leaders, die sich makellos zu einer abwechslungsreichen 56minütigen Suite ergänzen, lassen die verschiedenen Stimmungen, die man von den diversen Produktionen Steve Swallows kennt, in kurzweiliger Manier Revue passieren. Wie gewohnt ist sein gitarrenorientiertes Spielsystem auf dem 5saitigen Elektrobass der dominante Pol des manchmal skurrilen und simplistischen Ablaufs, aber geprägt wird die wundersame Stimmung ebenso durch die intensive Begleitarbeit der Organistin Carla Bley mit ihren orgelpunktartigen Akkordtremoli und der immer präsenten bittersüssen Expressivität.Tenorsaxofonist Chris Cheek und Gitarrist Sreve Cardenas bieten abwechselnd gut durchdachte, nicht unbedingt aufregende, aber mit dem Konzept des Projekts bestens verwurzelte Improvisationen. Auch wenn die ehemaligen Avantgardisten einer neuen Ära, Bley und Swallow, brav und zahm geworden sind, ist "Into The Woodwork" mehr als nur ein perfekter Berieselungsbackground für coole Lounge-parties.

ce cd demande plusieurs écoutes pour en percer la beauté, une première écoute un peu distante laisse percer un certain ennui, par la suite cette musique est par moments très belle et rend heureux

The label XtraWATT is an offshoot of ECM, and as such you would expect this album to be well recorded (it is, very well recorded) and also adhere to the strange delay in release that seem to mark it's family relation label. The was recorded in Pennes-Les-Fontaines in Novermber 2011, and only just released. If you like Steve Swallow compositions you know that you can expect well thought out charts and lots of room for everyone to stretch out. Quite apart from Swallow who sounds as good here as he did on that Jimmy Guiffre 3 album, the real "star" on this album is guitarist Steve Cardenas who weaves his way in and out of most of the tracks, sometimes mixed well forward and sometimes just insinuating his touch in small but well thought out contributions. As has been noted elsewhere Carla Bley on organ is enigmatic, but none the worse for the relaxed spaces that she fills. Truth to tell though, this is an ensemble album and the sum of its parts makes it a truly wonderful listen. I'm still allowing it to wrap itself round my ears with current favourites "From whom it may concern", "Still there" and the wonderfully laid back "Grisly business", which is the shortest of the tracks. It's not an album that will immediately blow you away (man!), but it's a well crafted and carefully arranged whole that will satisy over a long period. Highly recommended.

Steve está en fantástica forma, bonitas composiciones y tocadas super bien. Buenísima combinación entre el organo de Carla junto con el bajo de Steve. Jorge está excelente. Altamente recomendable.