Barney McAll
Flashbacks
(Extra Celestial Arts)

Since moving from Australia to NYC in 1997, pianist/composer Barney McAll has created an impressive resume that includes work with Gary Bartz, Billy Harper, Maceo Parker, Josh Roseman, and David Binney. But it may be his projects outside of jazz, in particular with independent film scoring— Motherland Afghanistan (Aubin Pictures/PBS Independent Lens) and Sacco and Vanzetti (Peter Miller/Ken Burns Florentine Films) and other works—that seem to shape his fertile imagination. It’s not surprising that Flashbacks, his fifth recording as a leader, emanates a globalist awareness with contemporary urban storytelling.

A one-time touring member of Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Heartcore band, McAll shares a simpatico bond with the celebrated guitarist, who is featured on all but one of the eight compositions. Their kinship is understood on the contagious hip “Elegua Dictate,” the cyclonic metered title track, and the Arab-esque flavor of “End of Things Start of Things,” which is reminiscent of Rosenwinkel’s “All the Way to Rajasthan” from Heartcore (Verve, 2003). Rosenwinkel’s identifiable voice coupled with McAll’s encyclopedic playing skills are a perfect match.

Read the full review on All About Jazz

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Hash Varsani is the owner of The Jazz Directory, a network of sites related to jazz, travel and everything else he loves. He also runs a selection of jazz related sites including Jazz Club Jury, a jazz club and festival review site. Check out his Google+ Profile, to see what else he's up to...probably setting up another website from one of his many passions.

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