(Contemporary Jazz, Afro-Latin-Brazilian Fusion, Saxophone) Donny McCaslin (w. David Binney, Scott Colley, Ben Monder, Antonio Sanchez etc) - In Pursuit {Sunnyside Records SSC 1169, USA} - 2007, FLAC (image+.cue) lossless

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Donny McCaslin / In Pursuit
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REM GENRE Jazz
REM DATE 2007
REM DISCID 6C0E6C09
REM COMMENT "ExactAudioCopy v0.99pb5"
PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
TITLE "In Pursuit"
FILE "Donny McCaslin - In Pursuit.flac" WAVE
  TRACK 01 AUDIO
    TITLE "A Brief Tale"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 01 00:00:00
  TRACK 02 AUDIO
    TITLE "Descarga"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 04:11:64
    INDEX 01 04:13:64
  TRACK 03 AUDIO
    TITLE "Madonna"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 10:47:27
    INDEX 01 10:49:27
  TRACK 04 AUDIO
    TITLE "Sea Of Expectancy"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 20:48:07
    INDEX 01 20:50:07
  TRACK 05 AUDIO
    TITLE "In Pursuit"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 28:58:21
    INDEX 01 29:00:21
  TRACK 06 AUDIO
    TITLE "Village Natural"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 34:09:66
    INDEX 01 34:11:66
  TRACK 07 AUDIO
    TITLE "Send Me A Postcard"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 38:44:61
    INDEX 01 38:46:61
  TRACK 08 AUDIO
    TITLE "Fast Brazil"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 41:59:56
    INDEX 01 42:01:56
  TRACK 09 AUDIO
    TITLE "Festival In 3 Parts"
    PERFORMER "Donny McCaslin"
    INDEX 00 49:47:25
    INDEX 01 49:49:25

Born August 11, 1966, McCaslin grew up in in Santa Cruz, CA; inspired by his father, a pianist and vibraphonist, the young McCaslin started playing tenor saxophone at age twelve and quickly progressed, touring Europe and participating in the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival's California All-Star band while in high school. After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he joined Berklee professor Gary Burton's quintet, with whom he toured for four years. McCaslin moved to New York, in 1991, working with bassist Eddie Gomez and then joining the group Steps Ahead, with whom he made the 1995 disc Vibe (NYC Records). McCaslin really began to turn heads with his solo work in larger ensembles - first Ken Schaphorst's big band, and subsequently the acclaimed Maria Schneider Orchestra, where his performance on the album Concert In The Garden received a Grammy nomination for “Best Jazz Instrumental Solo" in 2004.
So much for McCaslin's “traditional" credentials, which provide the anchor for his much- admired work in more adventurous realms. Chief among these is the quartet Lan Xang (which evolved from an experimental partnership with fellow New York saxist David Binney), and the quintet led by the widely lionized trumpeter Dave Douglas, who added McCaslin to his band in 2005. Reviewing the Douglas Quintet in Jazz Times, Josef Woodard wrote of McCaslin: “He's a versatile player who moves easily between inside and outside musical zones . . . . [T]here's a fluidity and grace to his playing even when he's pushing at envelopes."
Thanks to the high profile of the Dave Douglas Quintet, McCaslin in the last two years has achieved wider praise for the incisive twists and purposeful turns of his emotionally charged solos. But those qualities - along with his sometimes startling virtuosity, and his distinctive voice as a composer - had actually been on display for much of the previous decade, during which McCaslin proved himself a valued sideman on recordings by Danilo Perez, Luciana Souza, and performances with Tom Harrell, Brian Blade, John Pattitucci, The Mingus Band, and Pat Metheny. Meanwhile, previous albums under his own name have shown him subtly incorporating elements of Latin American music within adventurous jazz frameworks. In 2006, McCaslin received a Doris Duke grant for new jazz composition from Chamber Music America; In Pursuit comprises the results of that work. His new release Recommended Tools is the debut release for Donny McCaslin for Dave Douglas' label Greenleaf Music.
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BIO:
Donny McCaslin
Born August 11, 1966, Donny McCaslin grew up in Santa Cruz, CA. Inspired by his father, a pianist and vibraphonist, McCaslin started playing tenor saxophone at age twelve and progressed quickly, touring Europe and participating in the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival’s California All-Star band while in high school. After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he joined Berklee professor Gary Burton’s quintet, with whom he toured for four years.
McCaslin moved to New York in 1991, working with bassist Eddie Gomez before joining the group Steps Ahead, with whom he made the 1995 disc Vibe (NYC Records). Around the same time, he collaborated with fellow New York saxophonist David Binney, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Kenny Wolleson, in the piano-less quartet Lan Xang.
McCaslin really began turning heads with his solo work in larger ensembles – first with Ken Schaphorst’s big band, and subsequently with the acclaimed Maria Schneider Orchestra, where his performance on the album Concert In The Garden garnered McCaslin a Grammy nomination for “Best Jazz Instrumental Solo” in 2004. In 2005, McCaslin joined the quintet led by the widely lionized trumpeter Dave Douglas. Reviewing the Douglas Quintet in Jazz Times, Josef Woodard wrote of McCaslin: “He’s a versatile player who moves easily between inside and outside musical zones… There’s a fluidity and grace to his playing even when he’s pushing at envelopes.”
In 2008 and 2009, McCaslin won the Downbeat Critics poll for ‘Rising Star on the Tenor Saxophone.’ His 2008 release, Recommended Tools, on Greenleaf Music was in many critics’ top ten lists for jazz record of the year, and in 2009, McCaslin released Declaration on Sunnyside, which features a brass quartet.

With certain musicians play, you get the feeling that they’re on a level above their peers.And what’s more, it seems to come easy to them. Current saxophonists that fit this mould include Chris Potter, Joe Lovano and KennyGarrett. Add Donny McCaslin to that list. Donny McCaslin with his new project In Pursuit delivers an exceptionnal album.Great compositions, great musicianship, great soloists. With McCaslin, the musicians on this record are all first rate.
Reviews:
Arresting , beautifully structured works...In Pursuit is a triumph.
-- Jeff McCord, DOWNBEAT - August 2007
McCaslin continually finds new ways to surprise and enchant.
-- Forrest Dylan Bryant, JazzTimes - September 2007
Despite playing the tenor saxophone, which is generally regarded as a lead instrument, 41-year-old Donny McCaslin has remained primarily a sideman during his 15-year recording and touring carreer.
-- JAZZIZ - January 2008
http://www.sunnysiderecords.com/release_detail.php?releaseID=350

CD Universe:
When tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin first gained prominence, he sounded quite a bit like Michael Brecker and Bob Berg. Years have passed and McCaslin has grown into a very original improviser. In Pursuit, which features nine of his diverse originals, is full of moody and often melancholy but never dull music. McCaslin's solos are completely unpredictable, he is joined by a particularly skillful and alert rhythm section, and altoist David Binney often adds a second complementary voice. The music seems free in spots but is purposeful and ultimately logical. When McCaslin solos over just drummer Antonio Sanchéz and percussionist Pernell Saturnino during several stretches, his improvisations are particularly fiery and driven, with his raging solo on "Village Natural" being particularly inspired. This is a particularly strong example of modern jazz circa 2006. ~ Scott Yanow
Photographer: Christopher Drukker
Audio Mixer: Michael Marciano
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JazzTimes:
September 2007
By Forrest Dylan Bryant
Tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin has a mercurial tendency to evade pigeonholes. Playing in an ever-shifting style that chatters and sings, digging into rhythmic underpinnings or breaking the bonds of gravity, McCaslin continually finds new ways to surprise and enchant. In Pursuit brings back most of McCaslin’s bandmates from his 2006 album Soar for nine original compositions, extending his recent exploration of Afro-Latin rhythms in modern-jazz settings. Several tracks, such as the opening “Brief Tale,” find his horn roaming freely over tight grooves from bassist Scott Colley, drummer Antonio Sanchez and percussionist Pernell Saturnino. McCaslin constantly varies his approach in these outings, moving from relaxed lyricism through perky undulations and into leaping aggression, keeping the level of excitement high regardless of the tempo or overall atmosphere.
McCaslin’s longtime associate David Binney produced the album and also plays alto sax, joining the leader to fashion some finely interlaced duo melodies. In “Madonna,” Binney’s initial ruminations give way to dense scribblings, dovetailing into McCaslin’s own searching, powerful solo. Binney also adds assertive punch to the surging percussion of “Descarga.” Guitarist Ben Monder creates a moody, disconcerted ambience in tandem with McCaslin’s flute in “Sea of Expectancy,” but he also rocks out on the title track, goes acoustic on “Village Natural” and injects a touch of African highlife into “Festival in 3 Parts,” a piece that, like McCaslin, combines a naturally likable exterior with a deeply restless, unpredictably adventurous core.
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JazzChicago.Net
Review by Brad Walseth
From the moment Donny McCaslin's tenor sax kicks in over the African-styled rhythm section of Antonio Sanchez and Pernell Saturino on album opener "A Brief Tale" the listener knows he's in for a wild and most enjoyable ride. By the time the final track - the marvelous "Festival in 3 Parts," finishes you will want to pick yourself up off the floor and journey to NYC and to places like the 55 Bar, where something amazing seems to be happening in the jazz world, with players like McCaslin and his cohorts, along with others like keyboardist Craig Taborn & Dan Weiss, sax phenom Chris Potter, and of course alto saxophonist supreme, David Binney, who also produced this album for his friend and fellow musician McCaslin. Following the same Latin-inspired direction that made last year's "Soar" a critical success, McCaslin, Binney and these incredible musicians have created a follow up of fiery brilliance that is sure to make several top-ten lists before all is said and done.
The playing by all parties throughout the album, is inspired. The aforementioned rhythm section clearly relishes playing together and playing this music in support of the soloists. Drummer Sanchez and percussionist Saturino work together as one unit — reminding me somewhat of the best rhythm sections of Weather Report , and bassist Scott Colley is quite simply at the top of his game, with some burning solo work on "Descarga." Guitarist Ben Monder is always a pleasure, but here he seems even to outdo himself with textured playing ranging from straight ahead jazz, to melodic washes, to burning fusion-esque forays, to West-African inspired plucking. Binney's production is exceptional and brings the musicians' creativity to life in fully dimensional sound that literally leaps out of the speakers at you.
The musical interplay is superb, and there are moments of supreme beauty, such as in "Sea of Expectancy," to go with all the cooking. But in the end, it is the saxophone soloists who will leave you breathless in awe. McCaslin is a brilliant light ascending to the top of the jazz scene, and he burns throughout, melting so many lesser players in his wake with his intelligent, creative and sheer mind-bending solo turns. The young tenor (and flautist) takes the well-worn and often cliche-ridden sax solo into new, exciting and surprising directions, and his sheets of notes cascade in modern and melodic streams of sound that will enchant and astonish the listener.
This recording features exceptional songwriting, playing and production, but the highlight, however, for me is when McCaslin and Binney trade off solos on "Madonna." Taking turns walking, or should I say galloping across a highwire, this song features some of the most impossible soloing ever put on record. Creating near-lightspeed runs that teeter precariously on the edge, then ease back to safety in breathtaking fashion, the two saxophone stars are a perfect foil for one another. Let's hope this team stays together and produces more of some of the most beautiful and exciting modern jazz music for years to come.
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All About Jazz
By TROY COLLINS, Published: August 26, 2007
From his early forays with Steps Ahead and Ken Schaphorst's Big Band to Maria Schneider's Orchestra and his recent membership in Dave Douglas' Quintet, saxophonist/composer Donny McCaslin is finally beginning to receive the critical accolades he deserves.
His second album for Sunnyside and sixth as a leader, In Pursuit, follows a conceptual thread begun on Soar (Sunnyside, 2006). Seamlessly weaving advanced jazz harmony, lyrical melodies and Latin American polyrhythms into an organic whole, McCaslin proves his mettle as a writer of intricate but accessible tunes as well as a world-class improviser.
McCaslin brings back the core quintet from the previous session's nonet. Drummer Antonio Sanchez and percussionist Pernell Saturnino rejoin McCaslin with longstanding bassist Scott Colley and ubiquitous guitarist Ben Monder.
Produced by alto saxophonist David Binney, the album augments classic jazz sensibilities with subtle modern recording techniques. Binney's solid production and occasional alto contributions, combined with McCaslin's sure-footed writing and invigorating soloing, make for a richly rewarding listening experience.
An acknowledged fan of popular artists like Bjork, Radiohead, Soundgarden and Squarepusher, McCaslin's incorporation of pop music blossoms on the angular title track, featuring Monder and McCaslin at their most extreme, embroiled in a hornet's nest of escalating frenzy.
Monder's chameleonic virtuosity adds an electrifying intensity to these formidable compositions. He makes a perfect sparring partner for the leader; his tone alternates between delicate, gauzy serenity and full-bodied electric rasp, gnashing with swirls of feedback and blistering pyrotechnics.
A passionate soloist, McCaslin's effusive dexterity unveils a robust tone that veers from supple nuance to cathartic release. A superb technician, he is unafraid to venture into free territory, effortlessly blurring the line between inside and outside playing.
McCaslin's assured songwriting materializes on the sumptuous "Madonna." Unhurried, McCaslin demonstrates his loquacious phrasing with spirals of vibrant melodiousness as the tune unfurls gradually, epic in sweep. The bittersweet melancholy of "Sea of Expectancy" flows gracefully, held afloat by an optimistic undercurrent. Ascending a somber melodic progression with hope and resolve, the quintet brings a sense of closure to a piece rippling with uncertainty.
The majority of the album blends Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Peruvian rhythms with advanced harmonic progressions and the straightforward tunefulness of pop music. The multi-ethnic mosaic of "A Brief Tale" is representative; percolating polyrhythms, shimmering electric guitar and plangent tenor sax all culminate in a buoyant melody.
Incorporating vibrant Latin rhythms into sophisticated arrangements that unveil a rich vein of inspired lyricism, In Pursuit skillfully bridges the gap between the worlds of popular music and high-minded jazz improvisation.

Credits▼
Alto Saxophone, Producer – Dave Binney
Bass – Scott Colley
Coordinator [Release] – Bret Sjerven
Drums – Antonio Sanchez
Guitar [Guitars] – Ben Monder
Percussion – Pernell Saturnino
Photography By, Art Direction – Christopher Drukker
Recorded By, Mixed By, Mastered By – Mike Marciano
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto], Written-by – Donny McCaslin
Barcode and Other Identifiers▼
Barcode: 0 16728 11692 3

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
One of the pleasures of recent jazz has been watching tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin emerge from the pack and establish himself as one of the prime voices of his generation. Unlike many products of Boston's Berklee School of Music, he has developed a robust sound and freewheeling style. Consisting entirely of original compositions, In Pursuit carries through the Latin influences of its first-rate precedessor, Soar, while also engaging in compelling "outside" blowing and thoughtful balladry that showcases his flute playing. McCaslin's interplay with a pair of foils, alto saxophonist Dave Binney (who produced the album) and guitarist Ben Monder, is consistently exciting. Even when he looks back on classic styles, he is looking ahead. --Lloyd Sachs
Review
If creating challenging music that is also thoroughly entertaining were a crie, then Donny McCaslin ought to be in jail.
Some jazz players/composers today can seem so preoccupied with producing "art" that they make it very difficult for listeners to get in on the fun. Not so with McCaslin, who proves with his latest release of nine originals that art doesn't have to be hard to digest. It's brain food that also offers sensual pleasures.
A virtuosic tenor whose blowing can range from gut-busting to delicate and tender, McCaslin is aided in this pursuit by an extremely gifted rhythm section: guitarist Ben Monder, bassist Scott Colley, drummer Antonio Sanchez and percussionist Pernell Saturnino. The notable David Binney, who also produced this deeply satisfying CD, brings another reed voice to the proceedings with his distinctive alto sax.
Like his vigorous playing, McCaslin's originals speak with many voices and moods and always with authority, precision and purpose. Over the years the music of the California-to-New York transplant has drawn on Latin, South and Central American flavors as well as AfroCuban vibes and he continues nibbling on other cultures here to glorious effect, for instance on "Festival in 3 Parts," a very affecting and lively composition inspired by the AfroPeruvian groove "festejo."
McCaslin stirs whatever ingredient he is moved to include into the pot and many influences don't spoil the broth. The feeling of cohesion is enhanced by the skillfulness of this ensemble. Monder lends an aura of mystery and expansiveness to the moody "Madonna" and moodier "Sea of Expectancy." Over Monder's flowing, gorgeously executed guitar lines, McCaslin soars in mellower mode. The Latin-tinged "Descarga" features an arresting display of Colley's bass and Sanchez' drumming. Like a force of nature McCaslin's propulsive solo on "Village Natural" roars through a landscape of striking drums and percussion.
This engaging mix of composed and improvisational music will make you want to get out of your chair and move your body, or at least exert some serious head-wagging.
- Laurel Gross --All About Jazz - New York - July 2007
Review
Tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin has a mercurial tendency to evade pigeonholes. Playing in an evershifting style that chatters and sings, digging into rhythmic underpinnings or breaking the bonds of gravity, McCaslin continually finds new ways to surprise and enchant. In Pursuit brings back most of McCaslin's bandmates from his 2006 album Soar for nine original compositions, extending his recent exploration of Afro-Latin rhythms in modern-jazz settings. Several tracks, such as the opening "Brief Tale," find his horn roaming freely over tight grooves from bassist Scott Colley, drummer Antonio Sanchez and percussionist Pernell Saturnino. McCaslin constantly varies his approach in these outings, moving from releaxed lyricism through perky undulations and into leaping aggression, keeping the level of excitement high regardless of the tempo or overall atmosphere.
McCaslin's longtime associate David Binney produced the album and also plays alto sax, joining the leader to fashion some finely interlaced duo melodies. In "Madonna," Binney's initial ruminations give way to dense scribblings, dovetailing into McCaslin's own searching, powerful solo. Binney also adds assertive punch to the surging percussion f "Descarga." Guitarist Ben Monder creates a moody, disconcerted ambience in tandem with McCaslin's flute in "Sea of Expectancy," but he also rocks out on the title track, goes acoustic on "Village Natural" and injects a touch of African highlife into "Festival in 3 Parts," a piece that, like McCaslin, combines a naturally likable exterior with a deeply restless, unpredictably adverturous core. - Forrest Dylan Bryant --Jazziz - September 2007
Product Description
With certain musicians play, you get the feeling that they re on a level above their peers. And what s more, it seems to come easy to them. Current saxophonists that fit this mould include Chris Potter, Joe Lovano and Kenny Garrett. Add Donny McCaslin to that list. Donny McCaslin with his new project In Pursuit delivers an exceptionnal album. Great compositions, great musicianship, great soloists. With McCaslin, the musicians on this record are all first rate and include Dave Binney (as), Ben Monder (g), Scott Colley (b), Antonio Sanchez (dr), and Saturnino Pernel (perc).
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Customer Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars - Another Club55 product, January 9, 2008
By: R. Hill "Ray" (San Jose CA)
Like Ari Hoenig and Jean-Michel Pilc, McCaslin keeps the time open, but with more than a trio. No head/solo/head forms. Although he sometimes plays 'too many notes', it's in more of a Coltrane wall-of-sound modal way. The compositions give a warm homey feel reminiscent of String Cheese Incident, almost anthem-like, but in a good way. I've only sampled his other albums, but this seems much more successfully impressionistic. My fave of the year so far.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Donny McCaslin records a catchy one, April 3, 2010
By: Anthony Cooper (Louisville, KY United States)
Donny McCaslin is a charter member of the David Binney club of knotty modern jazz compositions, but McCaslin also has a strong catchy streak. "In Pursuit" chases and catches some hooks and has a lot of interesting playing along the way. McCaslin has David Binney on alto, Ben Monder on guitar, Scott Colley on bass, Antonio Sanchez on drums, and Pernell Saturnino on percussion. The music is mixed to sound rich and full. The songwriting is all by McCaslin, and they're good songs. "Fast Brazil" is a highlight that McCaslin re-recorded on "Recommended Tools". Like his newer discs, this 2007 CD from McCaslin is quite good, and is recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 stars modern and latinesque, October 31, 2007
By: Ali Haluk (Istanbul, Turkey)
Donny McCaslin (tenor s. and flutes) leads a sextet gathering David Binney (alto s.), Ben Monder (guitar), Scott Colley (bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums) and Pernell Saturnino (percussion).
the first song "a brief tale" is a great intro with a tenor-percussion duet.
the third cut, "madonna" is "binneyesque". ("young lion" of alto saxophone david binney is also the producer of this lovely album)
in the fourth cut, "sea of expectancy" ben monder leads the song but it's not "monderesque". mccaslin's flute, and binney's alto extend the music beyond expectancies...
after this lovely balad, an electrified and avantgarde cut, "in pursuit" exhibits the energic side of this extremely talented band.
"village natural" sounds like a latin and even like a david sanchez song. latin effects arise from the use of percussion in general and from the melodic lines partly throughout the album. after a short and catchy song "send me a postcard", latin effects make its top in the eighth cut, "fast brazil".
the last song "festival in 3 parts" is a long and modernist farewell.
all are original. all are beautifull. enjoy them...
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Other Customer Reviews @ Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Donny-McCaslin/product-reviews/B000PHW2HW