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Reviews
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...Grenadier's such a pleasure to hear...
On Sweet Transients he's with tenorman Seamus Blake, pianist Ethan Iverson, his bassist brother Larry Grenadier and drummer Bill Stewart. The group plays the standard "Alone Together" plus compositions by Nieske, Jobim, Kenny Wheeler, Horace Silver and Wayne Shorter. Phil Grenadier also contributed the title-track original, which features trading and contrapuntal improvisation by him and Blake.
Grenadier, who's been influenced by Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Clifford Brown and Woody Shaw, is a technically superb trumpeter. He's so secure, with a great range, precise articulation and rock-solid time and pitch. His tone is full and pretty, and he's bursting with fresh melodic phrases. While he can play very well on traditional changes or in a free setting, I prefer to hear him in the latter context, as it brings out his most imaginative playing. Similarly, Blake's an accomplished all-around improvisor who's at his best in more challenging situations. And Iverson's delicate, lyrical playing deserves all kinds of praise.
"Cali Mist," though featuring open improvising, has a good deal of variety and hangs together very well. I could stand to hear a whole album's worth of such material by these gifted artists.
--Harvey Pekar
JazzTimes, March, 2001
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Trumpeter Phil Grenadier's debut features a strong quintet...Opening with the title track, the album's sole original, Grenadier sets a tone of open, propulsive swing. Iverson lays out as tenor and trumpet execute the spare, syncopated melody before embarking on a round of trading over a repeated bass figure. The next two tracks, "Alone Together" and Jobim's "Portrait in Black and White," are in a more straight-ahead vein, featuring compelling melody statements from Grenadier, strong solos, and spirited group interplay. Bob Nieske's "Emma" signals a return to the vibe of the leadoff track, again with no piano and an adventurous tenor-trumpet solo rotation. Next, Grenadier and company do a lovely job on Kenny Wheeler's tranquil "Ma Belle Helene." Grenadier's debt to the expatriate trumpeter and composer is unmistakable; Iverson's solo flight is understated yet wondrous.
A spontaneous free improvisation titled "Cali Mist" sets up the most unusual repertoire choice on the album: Beck's "Derelict" from the album Odelay. Iverson exits once again, and Doug Weiss joins Larry Grenadier to form an Ornette Coleman-esque two-bass team. The song's languid melody is stretched over the hazy, rubato bar lines, creating a mysterious prelude to the dark, minor-key groove that prevails on the rest of the piece. Like so many young, adventurous jazz musicians, Grenadier is unafraid to borrow from the varied catalog of pop culture to inspire new jazz ideas. On the very next track, however, he hearkens back to tradition with a moving trumpet/bass duo reading of Horace Silver's classic ballad "Lonely Woman." The full group finishes with an up-tempo reworking of Wayne Shorter's "Nefertiti," which contains some very surprising trumpet/tenor harmonizations on the first phrase of the melody. Again, Iverson more than makes up for his absences with a stunning solo.
Phil Grenadier, already a valued sideman, is off to a very promising start as a leader. His resourcefulness as an arranger and lyrical gifts as a player make him an inspiring talent to watch.
--David R. Adler
AMG All Music Guide
allmusic.com
12/27/2000
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...The album documents Grenadier's highly developed improvisational and bandleading skills, as well as his connections with fine young players such as Seamus Blake, Ethan Iverson, and Bill Stewart.
--David R. Adler
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