Written by Jason Hillenburg
OFFICIAL: http://www.jimhagenmusic.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/HagenJazz/
Artwork
by John Lind Whitby
Jazz
guitarist Jim Hagen has established a much deserved reputation as one of the
best musicians working in the genre today. Many might dub his particular brand
of jazz as “smooth” and it isn’t off the mark in terms of texture, but it doesn’t
begin to describe the extent of his skills. Hagen’s original work and covers
draws deeply from one of America’s finest musical traditions and his use of its
lexicon shows a wide command over its intricacies along with an individual
style quite unlike anyone else working in a similar vein. The nine songs on his
latest album Jazzical testify to the aforementioned words and reveal him to be
a formidable talent still growing despite a lifetime in the music world. Few
artists can attest to such a characteristic.
The
first song and lead-off single, “Pismo Beach”, immediately draws listeners into
his web. Hagen’s guitar work is, naturally, the musical center of these nine
pieces, but that never means other instruments fail to provide an equal and
colorful contribution. Hagen is clearly a musician with an ensemble, rather
than virtuoso, approach and the drumming and keyboards enrich everything he
does. Melody is not in short supply – each of the instrumentalists are fully
cognizant of their role in this mix. “D-Tuna” has a less direct approach and
opens with an artful cluster of sound before the arrangement solidifies into a discernible
structure. Once again, however, melody is the order of the day and this has a
bright, optimistic air without ever attempting to overwhelm listeners. The
keyboard work is an especially important component of its success. Listeners
return to the full on sound of “smooth” jazz with the song “Alexandra”, but
there’s a slightly melancholy or elegiac air surrounding this song that Hagen
and his collaborators play with just the right amount of energy. The recording
emphasizes the song’s evocative elements quite nicely.
The
bass opening “All Blues” sets a nice, loping stage for the arrangement and
Hagen;s guitar does a memorable job of dueling with the keyboards while bobbing
in and out of the mix. Each of the nine songs on this release do a superb job
of remaining focused throughout and never risking self-indulgence. Few songs
illustrate this better than the title track. Despite running nearly seven
minutes long, “Jazzical” has a melodic motif that’s difficult to ignore or
forget. The fluid transitions and various textural changes are, likewise,
expertly handled. Hagen’s warm guitar sound has a syrupy musicality that’s
equally difficult to forget. The album’s penultimate track, “Piece of Cake”,
exudes a playful side quite unlike anything else on the release and the
drumming complements it very well. The finale, “Lazy Sunday”, features some of
his best guitar work and closes Jazzical on an appropriately tasteful note
while displaying the same talents that make the preceding eight songs so
delectable. Jim Hagen and his cohorts might be working with a long established
form, but they prove skillful at pouring old wine into new bottles.
Grade: A+
Grade: A+
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