New Bop Brigade: New Bop Brigade
Opus Funkus Music: SMMD-1004

Music

The New Bop Brigade's self-titled 2005 CD features Chris Stover on trombone, Travis Ranney on tenor sax, David Franklin on piano, Steve Messick on bass, and Ken French on drums. The New Bop Brigade is a modern jazz quintet that performs original post-bop compositions by Messick and Franklin. The music focuses on melodic horn lines over complex chord changes and is inspired by the works of Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock during the mid 60's.

"Rainy Sidewalk" (Messick) features a serene trombone melody over a grooving bass line with a piano counter melody on the bridge. "Theme From Dr. Chicago" (Messick) is an unruly bossa nova horn melody with solos featuring the rhythm section. "Wild Strawberry" (Messick) begins with a piano solo that opens up to a pretty melody in 5/4. "Mordant" (Franklin) is a romp through a melody in 6/8 with boisterous solos. "Gingerly" (Franklin) is a beautiful ballad featuring the trombone with piano interaction. "Gannet Island" (Messick) is a straight-ahead tune with some tricky phrasing in the melody and chord changes. "Beautiful View" (Messick) features a sustained trombone melody over a moving bass line in 3/4. "Long Way Home" (Franklin) features the tenor sax with extended solos from all instruments.

Tracks

Total Running Time: 73:48

Credits

Chris Stover — trombone
Travis Ranney — tenor sax
David Franklin — piano
Steve Messick — bass
Ken French — drums

Produced by Steve Messick and David Franklin

Recorded by Donn DeVore at Ironwood Studios in Seattle, WA on November 8, 2004 and at Avast Recording Co. in Seattle, WA on January 24, 2005 and January 31, 2005

Mixed by Donn DeVore at Avast Recording Co. in Seattle, WA on April 25, June 24, and June 25, 2005

Mastered by Rick Fisher at RFI/CD Mastering in Seattle, WA on September 16, 2005

Photography by Katie Messick
Graphic Design by Jeremy Jones
New Bop Brigade logo by Tim Jensen