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  • The Flows

    SRCD0003

    Artist: Ned Goold

    Label: Smalls Records

    Ned Goold (tenor sax), Ben Wolfe (bass) & Ron Steen (drums).

    Ned Goold has frequently been a featured artist at Smalls, having earned his spot on the basis of his unusual and original approach. Over many years, Ned worked out a system of synthetic tonal structures that he could superimpose over the chords of traditional standards, and use as a basis for new compositions. Ned's original work on an as-yet unreleased Smalls Records recording won him a New Works grant from Chamber Music America in 2002 to further his explorations. Ned's music sometimes poses a formidable challenge for new listeners. But he is no mere formalist. "Listen to the bass notes" Ned urges. What he's doing is no different from Bix or Bird, or James Brown for that matter, Ned explains. He uses his highly developed resources to create a dark, funky sound that is both expressive and musically deep. Here Ned is in the company of Ben Wolfe on the bass, and Ron Steen on drums. Ned and Ben are longtime collaborators, and have appeared on a number of one another's recordings. Veteran drummer Ron Steen is solid and right at home, having played in the company of both for many years. The recordings herein were distilled from forty-seven shows recorded during the summer of 1999 while Ned was on tour, opening nightly for the Harry Connick Jr. band in which he also serves as musical director. This highly select collection affords us the best representation on record to date of Ned's trio work.

  • March of the Malcontents

    SRCD0019

    Artist: Ned Goold

    Label: Smalls Records

    Ned Goold (tenor sax), Sacha Perry (piano), Ari Roland (tenor sax), Charles Goold (drums).

    Once in a great while, jazz players combine to produce a brew potent enough to inspire a thirst that can’t be slaked by any substitute. Chemistry they call it, something more than the mereological sum of its parts. Some things you love to listen to, but some things you gotta hear. This group is one of the latter.

    The swing on this date ranges from hot to cool, but always comes across with intensity. The hot swing on tunes like “Goooold” or “Thus This” is something most fans can relate to, but with original and exciting twists and turns. The cool swing on “What Is This Thing Called Love?” has the same intensity, but requires a change of gears--you have to take it at its own pace. This record is a good representation of the Saturday evening show, and if you’re like me, you’ll be consistently surprised at how much music this band can play.