By Brian Rill
A new work has come from the Howard, Colorado artist and composer Justin Allison who breathes life into a sweet set of 14 tunes. Teaming up with Grammy-nominated woodwind player Bob Rebholz on the CD Take Me Where the Moon Lives, Justin presents a tome of striking creativity. His collection of original songs gets mixed with modern arrangements from classic and contemporary artists. His anthems present an array of striking guitar chords aligned with Bob’s astounding flute solos and succulent saxophone melodies. Thelonious Monk’s swinging jazz standard, Monks Dream, is brought to life through the guitar and alto sax. The 1954 duet of Clifford Brown and Max Roach, Joy Spring jumps to the old smooth sounds of New York Bop. Innovative covers of Phyllis Molinary and Artie Butler’s Here’s To Life with the Brazilian pop tune Being Cool by Lorraine Feather and Djavan help us discover the real essence of modern jazz.
The title track reveals a slow, thoughtful melody moving through a major part of its theme. Featuring Allen Finney on drums, and Eric Gunnison’s vibrant piano playing along with Mark Simon playing bass and Bill Kopper on the guitar, it twirls and twists along a concise equation always resolving on the tonic. Justin’s other original songs stand out, like the hard-to-fathom but easy-to-ponder Paradox. New Life is an impressively positive tune that distinguishes Allison from countless other jazz performers. The band also joins Justin on his unique compositions The Key To It All and No More Blues.
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A total work of art from start to finish, Mighty Fine Productions in Denver chronicled this collaboration. The anthology is a notable production, with photos from Jamie Allison and design by Christin Fergus-Jean. I have heard it said before that jazz is a genre with an acquired taste. This recording is easily admired, so even if you don’t always listen to jazz, I believe that everyone will enjoy Justin’s energy.
Justin has shared the stage with and opened for legends of the highest caliber such as Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, George Benson, Natalie Cole, Al Green and Ray Charles, just to name a few. His vocal power and guitar styling collide evenly in an infused, frenetic frenzy. Justin’s Be Bop scat/rap mimics a trombone’s timbre dancing along with his finger plectrum technique while accentuating the refrain. His live sound resembles a throaty crooning style suspended on vibrating classical strings. Harmonics twang surprisingly very frequently from Justin’s guitar. Watching Justin perform live, his animated fingers dance along a rosewood fretboard, stealing your attention. One can almost visualize the flight of finesse and dexterity involved in this precise operation while listening to the flow of this compilation.
Whether you’re a jazz fanatic, a local entertainment fan or just an audiophile who likes a well-rounded compact disk, Take Me Where the Moon Lives may be your cup of tea. Justin’s experience and style, along with his choice between a plethora of different tributes and original numbers, make this a respectable release of music. No matter where your personal preference lies, you might find this collection refreshing. New ideas are hidden deep within its darkness, peering through shadows behind the popular zeitgeist of a modern groove.
Brian Rill is a troubadour, composer and poet.
