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Sam Newsome - Monk Abstractions
- “Monk Abstractions,” from Sam Newsome, is an eminently skilled album from a soprano saxophonist, who has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old. Born in Salisbury, Maryland, he attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and studied sax with jazz artistes like Billy Pierce and Andy McGhee. Newhouse’s unique style and rhythm make him one jazz performer that listeners will flock to again and again.
The first track begins with high-pitched notes, which lag on for a prolonged amount of time. This seems to be a staple on the album as Newsome does it on a great number of the songs. The tempo of the song makes it one that could be in a chase scene in a movie where the suspense causes the audience to be on the edge of their seats.
The second track continues with the holding of specific notes for long periods, but the tone here is more upbeat and jazzy. On this song, Newsome halts and then changes the musical tone. This switch in pitch shows Newsome’s prowess on the instrument.
On the third track listeners can hear Newsome breathing between notes as he blows lightning fast beats. Each is shorter than the one before. Then Newsome proceeds to go down the songful scale, showing listeners that he knows exactly what he is doing, and they do not doubt it for one second.
The fourth track goes a different route with its light and whimsical pace. Yet, Newsome still grips some of the high-pitched notes as if for dear life, which this late in the album might get on listeners nerves or delight others.
Sam Newsome’s “Monk Abstractions” is a jazz album that showcases one artist’s superb skill on the soprano sax. His seamless movement from slow to fast tempo will shock listeners and make them yearn for more.
Reviewer: Sari N. Kent
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Reviewer's Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Added: 2-Aug-2007
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