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Jerrys Master Piece!
author: Tupac Mantilla
"Deep rooted grooves, concepts and ideas from a truly versatile and powerful Master of World Percussion!"
Percussion teacher at Zumix in Boston, MA
author: Ben Paulding
In his newest CD, Cubist, Jerry Leake uses his tremendous knowledge of global percussion to create a unique project unlike anything I have ever heard. He seamlessly blends music from literally all over the world in an a way only possible by a person with the hands of a percussion virtuoso and the mind of an artistic, creative composer. What strikes me about this CD is that many of the songs are thoroughly composed with intricate parts and multiple sections, yet, the album still has the improvisation and spontaneity that are the essence of jazz. I have been listening to this CD non-stop since I got it, and every time I keep finding new subtleties to appreciate on each track. If you are interested in percussion from Africa, India, Asia, or Latin America, or are interested in the fusion of jazz and world traditions, this CD is for you.
A work of mastery by a master musician
author: Rodney Mashia
This is one of those collections where one could listen to each song several times, and hear something remarkable each time that you hadn't noticed before. Jerry Leake has created sonic landscapes that evoke emotions ranging from mankind's emergence from the ooze to his quest for the stars. I don't totally understand the 'Cubist' angle, but if it leads to the creation of music like this, I'm all for it!
A "MUST HAVE" In Your Collection!!!
author: Tom Ulichny
"Cubism" is an intellectual and accessible CD from start to finish showcasing Jerry Leake's incredible proficiency on a multitude of world percussion instruments. The diverse range of sounds flow seamlessly from track to track, and each song has a unique mixture of soul and instrumentation. Truly a masterpiece by one of the most amazing and inspirational musicians I've had the pleasure of knowing and studying under.
Dance Experience
author: OnPoint
As a dancer, I see music and all of the shapes, lines, spaces and synergies within the moving music molecules. Jerry Leake's "Cubist" CD sparks combustible creative energy, the context of which changes every time I encounter it...like "Aldebaran," which starts with a 'big bang' on the tam tam, simple glass chimes, flows into jingles of hanging and Tibetan bell choruses, balafon, vibraphone and glockenspiel interludes, and timbres of low log drum and tabla (body shakin') grooves. My "invisible dancer" responds and anticipates, expands, contracts, releases, spirals up/down, falls and recovers…whirling cosmic images within a rich musical tapestry that just won't let her rest. "Cubist" will certainly inspire interesting and novel choreographies, the world round.
Get it or suffer the consequences
author: Michael DhinDha Heyman
A dizzying array of grooves, textures, and melodies. Leake is an incredibly versatile composer and musician, and he calls upon some other talented folk, in particular, Randy Roos, who puts down some soulful shades of Santana guitar. Who could have imagined a horn section with that African rhythmic groove on "Smoke"? Turntable and tibetan bells on "Geo" and "Middle Ground"? Once you listen to these tunes, you may well question what it means to count.
Fantastic work!
author: John Vaughn
When listening to the fantastic album I not only hear world percussion but the roots of Jazz and even Funk! Jerry Leake paints pictures with sound that unfold as stories to the listener. I'm a runner and this is a GREAT album to run with! Great job, Cubist is a WIN!
A truly unique work
author: Mike
By mixing rhythms from all around the world on both native and non-native instruments, Leake weaves thick musical webs throughout the entire album. Each track is a well-crafted composition, which even at its most complex moment can still be broken down to the fundamental theme if the listener knows what to focus on. Perhaps most unique, however, is how easily listeners who aren't as hip to world music will be able to relate to this album. This is definitely an album worth checking out.
11/23/09
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