egroj world: Joshua Breakstone • Let's Call This Monk

Friday, April 5, 2024

Joshua Breakstone • Let's Call This Monk

Review by Scott Yanow
A few decades ago it was considered quite unusual for any musician to record a full set of Thelonious Monk songs. However, by the time guitarist Joshua Breakstone made this trio date, everyone seemed to be recording Monk's music and the formerly forbidding pianist-composer was rightfully considered not only a genius, but fairly accessible. With the exception of "Ruby, My Dear," Breakstone (a superior cool-toned guitarist) explores the more obscure and complex Monk tunes on this set, swinging such songs as "Work," "Eronel," and "Brilliant Corners" with ease. The trio is tight, with bassist Dennis Irwin contributing stimulating lines and drummer Mickey Roker being subtle and swinging in support. Although no longer groundbreaking, this is a fine addition to Joshua Breakstone's consistently rewarding discography.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/lets-call-this-monk%21-mw0000594920

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Reseña de Scott Yanow
Hace unas décadas se consideraba bastante inusual que cualquier músico grabara un conjunto completo de canciones de Thelonious Monk. Sin embargo, para cuando el guitarrista Joshua Breakstone hizo esta cita en trío, todo el mundo parecía estar grabando la música de Monk y el antes prohibitivo pianista-compositor era considerado con razón no sólo un genio, sino bastante accesible. Con la excepción de "Ruby, My Dear", Breakstone (un guitarrista de tono frío superior) explora las melodías más oscuras y complejas de Monk en este set, balanceando canciones como "Work", "Eronel" y "Brilliant Corners" con facilidad. El trío está muy unido, con el bajista Dennis Irwin contribuyendo con líneas estimulantes y el batería Mickey Roker siendo sutil y oscilante como apoyo. Aunque ya no es innovador, se trata de una buena adición a la siempre gratificante discografía de Joshua Breakstone.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/lets-call-this-monk%21-mw0000594920

www.joshuabreakstone.com ...

Tracks:
1 - Let's Call This - 4:16
2 - Work - 6:21
3 - Wee See - 5:08
4 - Reflections - 7:25
5 - Monk's Dream - 8:55
6 - I Mean You - 4:13
7 - Ruby, My Dear - 8:47
8 - Eronel - 5:38
9 - Brilliant Corners - 5:53
10 - Humph - 6:11


Credits:
    Bass – Dennis Irwin
    Composed By – Thelonious Monk
    Drums – Mickey Roker
    Executive Producer – Jamey D. Aebersold*
    Guitar – Joshua Breakstone
    Mastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
    Photography By – Gildas Boclé

Recorded Dec. 11th, 1996, Mastered Dec. 1996
Recorded At – Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Label:    Double-Time Records – DTRCD-121
Country:    US
Released:    1997
Genre:    Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/7988900-Joshua-Breakstone-Lets-Call-This-Monk