BASS FRONTIERS REVIEWS:
Sean Malone - Cortlandt
(AudioImage Records)
by: Dale Titus
Many of you may know Sean Malone from the articles that he submitted to
Bass Frontiers ("What is the Chapman Stick?" - Dec. '95, "Polyrhythms and
Polymeter" - Mar. '96). For those of you who don't, Sean is a very gifted musician
who performs and records on both the bass and the Chapman Stick. Although Sean has
appeared as a sideman on several recordings, this Fall he will release his first solo
recording, Cortlandt.
Overall, I am very impressed with this debut recording. Sean has a great
deal of technique and a nice musical sense to his solos. His machine-like 16th note
intro to the first track, Controversy will probably make you raise an eyebrow
or two (his solo on this track is also very nice).
The original compositions are very nicely written and recorded, but I
wish he would have chosen any other jazz tune besides the often-played Giant
Steps. The supporting players on Cortlandt are all good musicians and
definitely help to make this recording work, (Tin Machine's Reeves Gabrels lends his
considerable music talent to the track titled At Taliesin).
Sean Malone - "Cortlandt"
Fusion to progressive, featuring Sean on bass and Grand Stick, with ex-Cynic bandmate
Sean Reinert and others, w/ guests Reeves Gabrels and Trey Gunn.
"Seans playing transcends categorization. He's either the
best jazz bassist in metal or the most rocking bassist in jazz!"
- Mike Portnoy
(Dream Theater)
"...a heartfelt musical statement that reveals depth and
maturity. Rich and challenging, diverse yet cohesive, Sean Malone is a genuine talent."
- Tony Franklin
(The Firm, Blue Murder)
"...CORTLANDT is comprised of what I call 'living music'
with all the essentials to wake up and revive those who have 'heard it all'. As creator
of The Stick and its' method, I'm proud to see his illustrious work added to the
repertoire of featured Stick artists"
- Emmett Chapman
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