''Grass Roots'' is the eponymous debut album by the free jazz collective quartet consisting of Sean Conly on bass, Alex Harding on baritone sax,
Darius Jones on alto sax and Chad Taylor on drums. It was recorded in 2011 and released on the
AUM Fidelity label.
[''Grass Roots''](_blank)
at AUM Fidelity
Reception
The ''
Down Beat
' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...
'' review by Joe Tangari says "The opening minute of ''Grass Roots'' is one of the most inviting and warmly joyful introductions I’ve ever heard to an album that deals mostly in free playing."
[Tangari, Joe. ''Grass Roots'' review. ''Down Beat'' December 12: page 82. Print.]
The ''
All About Jazz'' review by Mark F. Turner describes the album as "the exceptional debut by a newly formed collective who sound like they've been playing together for decades."
[Turner, Mark F]
''Grass Roots'' review
at All About Jazz
In his review for ''
JazzTimes'' Mike Shanley notes that "All four of these musicians are involved in several different projects, but hopefully they’ll have opportunities to give this one the priority it deserves."
The ''
Exclaim!
''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly Exclaim! print magazine publishes 7 ...
'' review by Bryon Hayes states "A shared ecstasy shines forth in each second of this recording — these guys literally enjoy making music together and demonstrate such a powerful idea through the sounds they produce. What an amazing thing to celebrate."
[Hayes, Bryon]
''Grass Roots'' review
at ''Exclaim!
''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly Exclaim! print magazine publishes 7 ...
''
The ''Point of Departure'' review by Troy Collins notes that "Together these four sublimate ego for mutual ideology; each contributes to the writing process, with obvious consideration paid towards maintaining a unified group sound.. Grass Roots conveys the egalitarian nature behind its name with infectious enthusiasm."
[Collins, Troy]
''Grass Roots'' review
at Point of Departure
Track listing
# "Hotttness" (Darius Jones) – 8:01
# "Lovelorn" (Darius Jones) – 9:16
# "Ricochet" (Grass Roots) – 3:51
# "Schnibbett" (Sean Conly) – 11:50
# "Flight AZ 1754" (Alex Harding) – 6:39
# "Whatiss" (Chad Taylor) – 10:45
# "Hovering Above'" (Grass Roots) – 8:32
Personnel
* Sean Conly – double bass
* Alex Harding - baritone saxophone
*
Darius Jones - alto saxophone
* Chad Taylor – drums
References
{{Authority control
2012 albums
Darius Jones (saxophonist) albums
AUM Fidelity albums