tracks

It's Telling . . .
Cliffhanger
Simple Pleasures
Bum's Rush
Locus
Manque
Crescent City Undercurrents
Truth Be Told

notes

FROM CD BABY
It’s Telling…A Drummer’s Perspective
Following in the footsteps of the highly acclaimed… ”The Sinnett Hearings”… drummer Jae Sinnett has created a drumming/compositional masterpiece with It’s Telling…A Drummer’s Perspective.“ His formidable technique and versatility are on display… front and center. A drumming tour de force indeed! The compositional development is also evident and the unique individual voice of Jae as a drummer and composer… is clearly established. “A while back I had a conversation with drummer Steve Smith…He said I should bring the drums more out front because the drummers want to hear me play. Open up more. I thought about that for a long time. I’ve always thought that the way I incorporated the drums with the compositions on my previous releases reflected my true ability as a drummer. In retrospect I now hear the drums on those recordings as simply providing the perfect rhythmic blend that weaves from within each piece musically but not showcasing my drumming ability in as much of a lead capacity as I initially thought. On “It’s Telling…” the drums are shaping the direction of each composition and certainly more out front.”

Every composition is written to feature the drums in ways that reflect the deep study of the American groove. The 6/8 title track is like a mini suite - with varied solo sections… for piano, drums and saxophone. “Cliffhanger” grooves in 7/8 time with that slickly deceptive quarter note hi hat placement during the “A” sections of the melody. The swinging “Simple Pleasures” is a brush feature over the standard form and featuring a blistering brush solo section. The 5/4 “Locus” has a funk vibe with rhythmic displacement and a powerhouse solo at the end. The rhythms on “It’s Telling… are complex and shaped over swing and funk grooves. The writing is Jae’s best to date. Each piece moves forward and tells its own unique story.

“For the past couple of years I’ve been really looking at fresh ways of featuring the drums as being the point of departure of the composition…that of course reflects my sound. Here it’s about the drummer as a writer…not the other way…which had been my thinking for the past several recordings. Refinement is important. Most of the writing for the music on this CD is constructed from bottom to top…meaning from the rhythm to the melody. The drums set the conceptual direction of the pieces through sophisticated rhythmic and textural themes. The meters vary and six of the eight have drum solo sections as integral parts of the compositions. Extensions if you will.” The slow waltz “Manque” showcases the sonic beauty of cymbal textures and colors. The New Orleans tribute… ”Crescent City Undercurrents”… reflects the once vibrant aura of the Crescent City. As it develops you hear the second line, the hope of replenishment, the swing, the destruction and the spirit of possibilities. “This is a deeply personal piece because I love New Orleans and pray for its recovery. I hope within that tribute the spirit of that love is evident.”

Closing the disc is the gritty and complex “Truth Be Told.” Written in 9/8 for part of the main theme and for the saxophone and piano solos it then dances in 5/8 during the melody “B” sections and for the drum solo. “Without question this was the most challenging piece on the CD. We really had to work on this one but these are gifted musicians. I knew they would be up for the challenge. The shifting rhythms keep you on your toes but what fun it was playing this song. Its intense ending puts the final stamp on a project I’m extremely proud of.” ”It’s Telling…A Druumer’s Perspective,” confirms that Jae Sinnett is one of the great and original drummers playing today. (https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/sinnettjae3)

credits

Bass – Terry Burrell (tracks: 1-8)
Drums – Jae Sinnett (tracks: 1-8)
Piano – Allen Farnham (tracks: 1-8)
Saxophone – Steve Wilson (2)

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