Slon (album)
Slon | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 20, 2004 | |||
Recorded | April 27–30, 2003 in Chicago | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Label | Thrill Jockey | |||
Producer | Bundy K. Brown | |||
Chicago Underground Trio chronology | ||||
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Slon is the third album from the
Overview
Slon combines the sounds of a traditional jazz combo with electronic overdubs. The songs were developed during their European No War Tour[3] and written over a one-month period[4] then recorded in Chicago.[3] The track "Palmero" includes recorded sounds from a Sicilian fish market.[3] This is their last release with bassist Noel Kupersmith, Jason Ajemian plays bass on their next release, Chronicle.[5]
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
Pitchfork | [6] |
In comparison to their earlier work, Gregory McIntosh of AllMusic writes that the combo is "more focused on an overall concept for the record as an atmospheric listen" and that the album "is a document of a band that has really hit its stride".[4] When commenting on the combo's use of computers John L. Walters of The Guardian wrote that they use them for "anything from ambient noise to throbbing riffs". He goes on to write that "Mazurek's inventive improvisations dance around Taylor's live, open-sounding kit, while Kupersmith's bass sound stays oddly, unfashionably low."[3]
Rex Butters of
Pitchfork's Mark Richardson noted: "although the Trio operate within a smaller sphere than many of their contemporaries, they remain open to possibility and produce inspired combinations of seemingly different sounds-- and the economical and engaging Slon is evidence that they're on to something."[6] Brian Baker of Paste called the musicians "phenomenal jazz talents interested in technological possibilities... as well as jazz's venerable heritage," and called the recording "an album of power, vision and conviction."[9]
John Schacht listed the album as one of his top twenty favorite albums of 2004 in Creative Loafing, calling the combo "the best jazz ensemble many jazz fans have never heard".[10]
Track listing
All tracks written by the Chicago Underground Trio
- "Protest" (6:29)
- "Slon" (4:56)
- "Zagreb" (6:39)
- "Sevens" (3:00)
- "Campbell" (6:57)
- "Kite" (4:35)
- "Palermo" (3:20)
- "Shoe Lace" (4:32)
- "Pear" (3:02)
Credits
- Rob Mazurek – cornet, computers
- Noel Kupersmith – bass, computers
- Chad Taylor – drums
- Sheila Sachs – design
- Bill Skibbe – tape splicing
Chart performance
Year | Chart | Peak |
---|---|---|
2004 | CMJ Top 75
|
70[11] |
CMJ Jazz Albums | 6[12] |
References
- Allmusic. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- Allmusic. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- ^ a b c d Walters, John L (16 January 2004). "Full metal racket". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- ^ Allmusic. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- Allmusic. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- ^ a b Richardson, Mark (June 7, 2004). "Slon: Chicago Underground Trio". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Butters, Rex (1 June 2004). "Chicago Underground Trio Slon". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- CMJ New Music Report. 78 (849): 20. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- ^ Baker, Brian (February 1, 2004). "Chicago Underground Trio - Slon". Paste. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Schacht, John (29 December 2004). "List-O-Rama!". Creative Loafing. Charlotte, North Carolina. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- CMJ New Music Monthly (121): 40. 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- CMJ New Music Report. 78 (11): 19. 16 February 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2011.