eGuitarist Mason Razavi and pianist Bennett Roth-Newell have been longtime collaborators in many and varied large Jazz ensembles. “After You” marks their first duo effort together. Formerly supporting players, Razavi and Roth-Newell step forward in equal partnership and keep all the fun for themselves.
It is released by First Orbit Sounds Music (FOSM 242).
The compositions are mostly originals with only three exceptions: Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Joe Zawinul and “Yesterday” by Lennon-McCartney.
“Joy Spring” is the inaugural track with Razavi and Roth-Newell in effervescent dialog. It is a dynamic that works exceedingly well because of the artists’ familiarity with one another.
“Escaping the Inevitable” is a Roth-Newell composition. It is an inward-looking piece that is both reflective and prospective. The groove is fun and memorable at the same time. The music is in internal opposition as the lexical incongruity of the title would indicate.
“A Daughter is a Gift to the World” is a sweetly melodic piece from Roth-Newell. Wistful elements and occasional touches of pride and melancholy punctuate the track. After all, if a daughter is a gift, it means she must be surrendered. Both Rezavi and Roth-Newell express the sentiments with greatest emotion and care.
Joe Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” is given its full Gospel-infused Soul anointing in this righteous treatment. Razavi plays the delicate moments as Roth-Newell keeps it raucous. By the end, both artists are tearing it up. Both Razavi and Roth-Newell are cats who are precisely virtuosic with the will and desire to cut loose the R & B.
“Will You?” is from the pen of Mason Razavi. The interaction between guitar and piano easily recalls moments of Hristo Vitchev and Weber Iago. They run together followed by running away from each other. This is one of the more memorable tracks on the album.
“Mixed Memories” is another Bennett Roth-Newell composition. The piano parts are executed so well with touches of Latin Jazz. Razavi follows with equally well-done injections. The dialog is lively and causes the listener to wonder just what those mixed memories may be.
Mason Razavi wrote “Through the Fog” with its touching melancholy. The confusion and dismay of life is only overcome by persistence and patience—unhurried and undeterred—toward a tomorrow of hope. With delicacy and emotion, the artists shine a beacon into the mists.
“Yesterday” is the Beatles’ classic by Lennon and McCartney. Let’s be honest, it’s by McCartney. This track brings the album to a close. It is a Jazz reinterpretation of the pessimistic Beatles tune (the most covered song in history). It becomes a fun romp in the hands of Razavi and Roth-Newell. Much more fun than the original, it is as if it had been written by Oscar Peterson.
For their debut as a duo, Mason Razavi and Bennett Roth-Newell have shown that both of them deserve center stage. As great as their previous work had been, the stark spotlight on only the two of them reveals no blemishes or scars—only a beauty that has waited patiently to be revealed.
Visit their website here: http://www.masonrazavi.com/guitarpiano-duo/
To follow more great musicians, Like Kari-On Productions on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/karionproductions?fref=ts
Follow First Orbit Sounds Music on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Orbit-Sounds-Music/106769483189?fref=ts
Purchase "After You" on CD or MP3 download by using the Amazon links below:
It is released by First Orbit Sounds Music (FOSM 242).
The compositions are mostly originals with only three exceptions: Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Joe Zawinul and “Yesterday” by Lennon-McCartney.
“Joy Spring” is the inaugural track with Razavi and Roth-Newell in effervescent dialog. It is a dynamic that works exceedingly well because of the artists’ familiarity with one another.
“Escaping the Inevitable” is a Roth-Newell composition. It is an inward-looking piece that is both reflective and prospective. The groove is fun and memorable at the same time. The music is in internal opposition as the lexical incongruity of the title would indicate.
“A Daughter is a Gift to the World” is a sweetly melodic piece from Roth-Newell. Wistful elements and occasional touches of pride and melancholy punctuate the track. After all, if a daughter is a gift, it means she must be surrendered. Both Rezavi and Roth-Newell express the sentiments with greatest emotion and care.
Joe Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” is given its full Gospel-infused Soul anointing in this righteous treatment. Razavi plays the delicate moments as Roth-Newell keeps it raucous. By the end, both artists are tearing it up. Both Razavi and Roth-Newell are cats who are precisely virtuosic with the will and desire to cut loose the R & B.
“Will You?” is from the pen of Mason Razavi. The interaction between guitar and piano easily recalls moments of Hristo Vitchev and Weber Iago. They run together followed by running away from each other. This is one of the more memorable tracks on the album.
“Mixed Memories” is another Bennett Roth-Newell composition. The piano parts are executed so well with touches of Latin Jazz. Razavi follows with equally well-done injections. The dialog is lively and causes the listener to wonder just what those mixed memories may be.
Mason Razavi wrote “Through the Fog” with its touching melancholy. The confusion and dismay of life is only overcome by persistence and patience—unhurried and undeterred—toward a tomorrow of hope. With delicacy and emotion, the artists shine a beacon into the mists.
“Yesterday” is the Beatles’ classic by Lennon and McCartney. Let’s be honest, it’s by McCartney. This track brings the album to a close. It is a Jazz reinterpretation of the pessimistic Beatles tune (the most covered song in history). It becomes a fun romp in the hands of Razavi and Roth-Newell. Much more fun than the original, it is as if it had been written by Oscar Peterson.
For their debut as a duo, Mason Razavi and Bennett Roth-Newell have shown that both of them deserve center stage. As great as their previous work had been, the stark spotlight on only the two of them reveals no blemishes or scars—only a beauty that has waited patiently to be revealed.
Visit their website here: http://www.masonrazavi.com/guitarpiano-duo/
To follow more great musicians, Like Kari-On Productions on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/karionproductions?fref=ts
Follow First Orbit Sounds Music on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Orbit-Sounds-Music/106769483189?fref=ts
Purchase "After You" on CD or MP3 download by using the Amazon links below:
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