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Gary Tu - Look East
- Gary Tu is a fairly young musician who hails all the way from Taipei (he and his parents moved to the states in 1985). His latest album, Look East, definitely has that house band sound. Look East employs bassist Kurt Schweitz and drummer Andre Besley. The first half of the album are originals by Tu, while the second half are popular jazz covers.
The album’s near eight minute opening title track is weak. It sounds like elevator music or being put on hold at the most inopportune of moments. An opening track should envelop the listener and make them want to hear more. But the album does improve from here on out.
A favorite on the album is “The Road to the Sky,” a spicier sounding pop-like song that one almost wants to put a scat too. The listener will find it impossible to listen to this one sitting down, as it definitely urges one to sway their hips along with the guitar.
Frank Foster’s “Simone” plays out like a waltz, with the end changing tempos and Schweitz getting the chance to jazz up the bass, and on the super fast-paced “Airegin” (originally by Sonny Rollins), Besley uses several drum rolls as he takes the forefront for some parts.
Tu’s instrumentals are consistent and well-prepared. His true essence is probably perfectly captured in his live act. He is playing a long slew of shows in Chicago this summer.
Reviewer: Courtney Thompson
new
Reviewer's Rating: 7
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Added: 11-May-2007
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