The very young (24 at the time of this recording) Euro-Chinese American tenor saxophonist Robert MacGregor comes out of the box ready to make his mark in the modern mainstream of jazz. For his debut effort as a leader, this program is all original neo-bop and progressive jazz, with not a single standard. It would be difficult to say he has his own improvisational or personal sound at this point, but he's studied with Steve Slagle and Dick Oatts, and though Michael Brecker's shadow is in plain sight, he's closer to saxophone ...
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The very young (24 at the time of this recording) Euro-Chinese American tenor saxophonist Robert MacGregor comes out of the box ready to make his mark in the modern mainstream of jazz. For his debut effort as a leader, this program is all original neo-bop and progressive jazz, with not a single standard. It would be difficult to say he has his own improvisational or personal sound at this point, but he's studied with Steve Slagle and Dick Oatts, and though Michael Brecker's shadow is in plain sight, he's closer to saxophone peers Chris Potter, and especially Seamus Blake. There's a strong sense of lyricism, clean lines, and an even-keeled attitude that permeates his tuneful style. MacGregor also offers distinct variety, starting with a modal 4/4 to 3/4 opener "The Fuse," moving to the New Orleans flavored groove tune "Local Transfer," the easy swinger "Event's Horizon," and the effortless title track and singsong melody of "Path Less Traveled." Starring in a subsidiary role is the pianist Miro Sprague, a player to watch. His bouncy infusions, unison lines with the saxophone, and especially the spirit song elements added to "Senbo's Dreamwalk" mark Sprague as a developing, soon to emerge rising star. Inspired by a trip to China, the ballad "Zizhuyuan in the Summer" expands the quartet to a sextet with flute and trumpet, while the angular "R.S.V.P" is not coming from Thelonious Monk, but based on the changes of the evergreen "Invitation," based on the more subtle and harmonic derived progressive cool of Lennie Tristano and Warne Marsh. A consistently good CD from start to finish, this is not so much an auspicious debut for MacGregor as it is filled to the brim with promise and bright possibilities. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi
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Add this copy of Refraction of Light to cart. $8.59, very good condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Black Tri Records.
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Very Good. Size: 5x4x0; All orders professionally packed and shipped from the USA within 24 hours. Multilingual, friendly, and intelligent customer service!
