Endemic Ensemble
Lunar
Released on March 1, 2012
Released in a collaboration with Pony Boy Records
Lunar is the Endemic Ensemble's debut album containing eleven tracks of original modern mainstream jazz. Bandleader Steve Messick is joined by
Travis Ranney, Matso Limtiaco, David Franklin, and Ken French. The music, written by Messick, Franklin, and Limtiaco, focuses on accessible melodies over hard-bop changes with inspiration from twentieth century classical music and horn backgrounds reminiscent of Joe Henderson and Art Blakey. Lunar made Lucid Culture's The 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2012.
With three first-rate composers, swinging rhythm, great tunes and purposeful playing - always in the service of the song, and usually anchored in the blues - this is one of 2012's standout albums
(Endemic Ensemble Delivers a Gorgeously Tuneful 2012 Album
, Lucid Culture)
Great writing, great players and great times...what more could you ask for?
(Jazz Now! Seattle)
Endemic Ensemble's "LUNAR" manages to respect the hard-bop, big band, and classical, with an updated nod to a melodic, danceable mindset. That's hard in jazz. This band makes it look easy.
(Carol Banks Weber, AXS)
Track List
| 1. | Lunar — 4:43 — Steven M. Messick |
| 2. | Return of the Pelicans — 7:02 — Steven M. Messick |
| 3. | Lilu — 5:30 — David Franklin |
| 4. | March-Bop — 1:36 — Steven M. Messick |
| 5. | Solace — 7:39 — Steven M. Messick |
| 6. | 5 Syllables — 6:46 — David Franklin |
| 7. | A Short Walk with Many Stops — 0:48 — Steven M. Messick |
| 8. | Spikenard — 6:17 — Steven M. Messick |
| 9. | Fred's Folly — 1:16 — David Franklin |
| 10. | More Than Anything — 4:43 — David Franklin |
| 11. | Do the Math — 7:32 — Matso Limtiaco |
Musicians
Steve Messick - bandleader, double bass
Travis Ranney - soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones
Matso Limtiaco - baritone saxophone and bass clarinet
David Franklin - piano
Ken French - drums
Production
Produced by Steve Messick
Recorded by Jay Follette at Avast! Recording, Seattle, WA, May 28-29, 2011
Mixed by Jay Follette at Avast! Recording, Seattle, WA, August 27-29, 2011
Mastered by Ross Nyberg at Ross Nyberg Mastering, Issaquah, WA, September 22, 2011
Artwork by Eva Fury
Photography by Katie Messick
Photo Editing by Mark Forrer
Graphic Layout by Greg Williamson