JAMES FARM — City Folk (review)

JAMES FARM — City Folk album cover Album · 2014 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
js
The first time you spin James Farm’s “City Folk”, you may get the impression that its not much more than some instrumental indie rock/pop tunes with jazz solos. It doesn’t help that lead off tune, “Two Steps”, is not one of the strongest cuts on here, but give this CD some more plays and a deeper more complex creation will reveal itself. There is a melodic indie pop element to many of these songs, but others are more abstract in their blending of modern fusion and post bop, and on every cut, the band is careful to avoid anything too predictable or cliché.

For those looking for something more in the way of a jazz workout, “North Star” and “Mr E” are probably two of the best tracks to go with. Of the more melodic fare, “Unknown” has one of those ‘haunting’ melodies that really sticks with you, as well as an excellent building chord progression that keeps reaching upwards. For a jazz album, the playing on many cuts is a bit restrained, but always creative and thoughtful. Joshua Redman always impresses with his sense of melody in improvisation.

I’m not sure on the intended target audience here, some jazz fans may balk at the simple rock beats on some tracks, while other tunes get a little more abstract than what the average rock listener is used to. I suppose the jam band fan who wants to move up to something a little more jazzy could see “City Folk” as a gateway. Also, those who like the music of Brad Mehldau and other similar contemporary piano trios will understand where this band is coming from with their moody indie rock influences. Overall, this is a good contemporary jazz CD, just don’t expect to get blown away by anything too dramatic, “City Folks” is more about careful creativity than fireworks.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Sued, Nandayapa, Bergmann, Saunders : Mad Dream Avant-Garde Jazz
BRUCE SAUNDERS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Juno What It Is Jazz Related Electronica/Hip-Hop
MATT TWADDLE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Blue House Session Hard Bop
MUNEER NASSER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Camera Obscura Post-Fusion Contemporary
PIERRE VAIANA
Buy this album from MMA partners
21days Post-Fusion Contemporary
SUKEZA BAND
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Juno What Time It is
MATT TWADDLE
js· 18 hours ago
Sukeza Band - When She Dreams
SUKEZA BAND
js· 1 day ago
Zac Harmon - Stop the Killing
ZAC HARMON
js· 1 day ago
Richard x Bennett - SCAVENGER in 6 parts
RICHARD X BENNETT
js· 3 days ago
Rangelands (feat. Josiah Joyce & Ben Thompson)
COLIN TRUSEDELL
js· 4 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed