Ben Thomas - The Mystagogue

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Ben Thomas , “The Mystagogue”
Origin 82381

“Power -it's here by the truckload.”
John Barrett, Jr. / Jazz USA

Seattle vibraphonist Ben Thomas offers a swinging, pulsing quintet sound on his second release. Thomas augments his core vibe/piano quartet with one of three clarinet and saxophone players on most of the tracks on the record, lending a ever-changing fifth voice to the ensemble, yet displaying overall coherence and imagination. The rhythm section enlivens things with off-kilter swinging support and hot latin grooves.

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TRACKS:

1. The Mystagogue 8:35
2. Whatever Stupid 6:39
3. Still Livin' with Mama 5:28
4. Melody for Mr. Mike 7:09
5. Bridge at White Creek 5:23
6. Tomorrow Night 5:38
7. Dragonfly 3:46
8. Loochy 5:13
9. Dorothy's Green Slippers 6:15
10. Dragonfly (reprise) 2:32

PRODUCTION:

Produced by Ben Thomas

PERFORMERS:

Ben Thomas - vibes
Laura Caviani - piano
Clipper Anderson - bass
John Bishop - drums

with:
Eric Likkel - clarinet (1,2,4 etc.)
Rick Mandyck - tenor sax (2,6 etc.)
Mark Piszczek - soprano sax (Etc.)

REVIEWS:

All About Jazz (Nils Jacobsen)
Seattle vibraphonist Ben Thomas offers a swinging, pulsing quintet sound on his second release, The Mystagogue. Thomas augments his core vibe/piano quartet with one of three clarinet and saxophone players on most of the tracks on the record, lending a ever-changing fifth voice to the ensemble. While the combination of piano and vibes might suggest ...

Jazz USA (John Barrett, Jr.)
Power -it's here by the truckload. While Ben Thomas brings his mallets down hard, his band stretches in serpentine, Zappa-like themes. There's tons of sustain on the title track, endless harmony for the drums to crash against. After Ben's mighty solo, we hear Eric Likkel's nervous clarinet, waddling with delight. His notes are delicate, and somehow...

All Music Guide (Adam Greenburg)
On his sophomore album as a group leader, Ben Thomas uses a solid quartet format with an additional rotating sax or clarinet. On The Mystagogue, the vibist makes good on the promise of the title ó he introduces new listeners into the religious rites of jazz, showing the relics and holding the ceremonies. In a less metaphorical sense, Thomas and his...

PURCHASE OPTIONS:

$13.99

$7.99

SAMPLE SOUNDCLIPS:

The Mystagogue:

Whatever, Stupid:

Other Recordings featuring
Ben Thomas:

Sonando
Tres
(Origin 82460)

Ben Thomas
Triskaidekaphobia
(Origin 82448)

Various Artists
Modern Jazz: A Collection of Seattle's Finest Jazz
(Origin 82423)

Ben Thomas
The Madman's Difference
(Origin 82364)

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