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John Fedchock NY Sextet

Into The Shadows

Review by Gary Hill

This is not a tight fit under progressive rock. We usually put fusion there, and this has fusion leanings, but perhaps it's closer to pure jazz. The thing is, since half the issue has to be prog, I tend to push the envelope a bit. This comes close enough to make that bit of a nudge. Whatever you call this, though, it's potent instrumental jazz. This is one of the better jazz releases I've heard in a while, really.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2020  Volume 5. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2020.

Track by Track Review
RSVP
Powering in with a fast paced jazz jam, this thing grooves and moves in style. There is some seriously powerful jamming later in the tune. The horns shine, and the drums get some short solo bits. The tune does have a bit more of a fusion element at play as it continues to drive forward, too.
Alpha Dog
I love the groove on this number. It's perhaps more of a pure old-school jazz exploration than fusion. I really love the horn soloing on this killer number. I dig the bass solo after the five-minute mark.
Manaus
Another powerhouse jam, this has some smoking hot horn soloing built into it. The rhythm section creates such a cool vibe, too. I dig the piano work, as well. This is one of the most effective pieces of music on the whole disc as far as I'm concerned. The bass gets to show off a bit later in the track, too. There are some cool changes on this piece, and the whole thing just works well.
I Should Care
A high energy piece, this really moves. It has some powerhouse drumming acting as the backdrop for the melodic excursions of the various instruments. Horns, piano and bass weave lines around one another creating one of the best tapestries of the set. In some ways the rhythm section steals the show here, but as a bass player, I probably notice that instrument more than a lot of people do. The piano solo after the four-minute mark is noteworthy, and so is the bass solo that follows it.
Nature Boy
There is a great old school jazz vibe at the heart of this thing. The jamming paints pictures on that canvas. The horn jamming around the mid-track point is positively on fire. I love the piano soloing further down the road, too. The drums get some opportunities to shine here, too.
Into the Shadows
This melodic excursion is a bit more on the traditional jazz end of the spectrum. Still, there are plenty of inspiring solo bits.
Star Eyes
I dig the energy and groove of this killer tune. It's a particularly effective number. I really like the piano and drum workout later in the piece, but this whole thing works really well.
On the Edge
This is another up-tempo powerhouse cuts from the group. It's a real driving groove with some killer instrumental work. This is a great closer to a potent album.
  
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