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Robin Eubanks’ Latest CD ‘Gets 2 It’
Story by Paul Cox '92
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RELATED: Oberlin Conservatory's Alumni Notes (Spring 2001) |
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the Conservatory |
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Listening Room |
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Then
I chanted for a wisdom and
Hoped to find a key
Then I saw that all my troubles
Start and end with me.
Hoped to find a key
Then I saw that all my troubles
Start and end with me.
These lyrics from the title track of trombonist-composer (and Oberlin Assistant Professor of Trombone) Robin Eubanks’ latest CD, Get 2 It, sum up the spirit of the album. The wisdom revealed in this album is simple: Robin Eubanks has an intense and arresting artistic vision.
Jammed with 11 tracks of progressive jazz that feature Robin on acoustic and electric trombone, Get 2 It is a collaborative effort made possible by an all-star cast of performers, including Dave Holland and Robin’s brothers Kevin (guitarist and leader of the Tonight Show Band) and Duane (an accomplished trumpeter).
Start
and end with me.
Get 2 It is produced and mixed by Robin, and all but one of the works is written or arranged by him. Self-producing has allowed Robin -- like many artists today -- to avoid the myriad politics of dealing with major record labels. The last track on the album is a personal audio note wherein Robin thanks those who made the music possible and offers "program notes" for all the charts. The album is dedicated to Robin’s mentor, the late J. J. Johnson, and features Romare Bearden’s "Brass Section-Jammin’ at Minton’s" on the cover (a perfect choice). Taken together -- and with complete artistic control -- Robin Eubanks has created an album that has his personal touch throughout.
Guarantee victory
Can’t you see
You gotta get to it.
Can’t you see
You gotta get to it.
Musical highlights abound. With its eerie vocal quality, Robin's electric trombone merges revolutionary Hendrix with the Eubanks blues in "Blues for Jimi." A subtle moment is heard at the close of "Cross Currents" (commissioned by J. J. Johnson) when the tabla drums are gently interwoven into the fading texture. "RNB-First Take" reveals an electro-acoustic track for drums, trombone and electric trombone in a spontaneous improvisation that features some technically savvy trombone loops done in real time. Drummer Billy Kilson and Robin offer a "first take" improvisation littered with instinctive unison passages and innumerable fine moments. The tune closes with Robin’s electric bone laying down a great half-time funk groove.
Watch your problems evolve
Nobody else will do it.
Nobody else will do it.
From the funk of "RNB-First Take" to the Latin groove of "Sabanna," organic musical juxtapositions evolve throughout the album. The pairing of electric and acoustic instruments keeps listeners wondering: What’s coming down the pike? Who would guess that the sci-fi opening to "House of Jade," with its colliding synthesizer and electric trombone lines, would grow into a charming, late-night-close-the-set-Wayne-Shorter tune? This "nostalgic" section opens with pianist George Colligan’s solo -- à la Bill Evans -- setting up a deeply introspective response by Robin. Before we get too comfortable, the tune heads back to the space sounds of the opening -- a most interesting combination of electro and acoustic. (You’re right Robin. Nobody else will do it.)
Percussionist Mino Cinelu’s playing in tracks six and eight leaves us craving more. In track 10, all is fulfilled with "Reunion," an intimate trio with Mino, Kevin and Robin. "Reunion" opens with Mino playing a bass-line-like riff on tom toms with timbales and shaker adding to his time-keeping genius. With Mino, Kenny and Robin adopt an incisive rhythm in their solos, creating a truly avant-garde trio.
You gotta
Get 2 It,
Get 2 It.
Get 2 It,
Get 2 It.
The album closes with the aforementioned audio notes, the effectiveness of which cannot be stressed enough. Here Robin illuminates the musical construction of "Metamorphos" -- "subdivided 10 beat form with a repeating bass line". He also discusses the musical intentions of "Essie," a memorial to Essie Green Edmonston, who died on February 26, 2000, and "Reunion," which we learn is totally improvised! These secrets would have been lost in the common, six-point font CD liner notes, yet are perfect in audio format.
If you want to learn of Robin’s composition secrets to "Sabanna," you’ll just have to buy the album. Now, "Get 2 It". The CD is available at www.robineubanks.com and Amazon.
