Lyrical and colorful modern improvisation and jazz – Roundabout is a mixture of refreshing originals and expressive interpretations of standards. Pianist Sameer Ramchandran is joined by Dominic Duval on bass and Newman Taylor Baker on drums. Duval, formerly of the Cecil Taylor Trio (although here showing a much different facet of his playing altogether), was a regular on the CIMP label, while Baker is an active member of the Billy Harper Quintet. Ramchandran’s fluid melodies and harmonies are given solid support by Duval’s adventurous and always inventive grounding. Baker’s pristine backdrop provides a colorful atmosphere that provides a wonderful frame in which the music falls. All three are in fine form and each is given ample room to improvise and interpret the material thoroughly. Reviews and Testimonials: “There are a lot of good things going on here. It’s time to sit up and take notice of this trio.” – Jerry D’Souza, All About Jazz “One note glides into the next while he delivers the music effortlessly…Ramchandran’s seamless grand piano keyboard attack translates into a heart-rending experience.” Jim Santella, Jazz Improv “This is a superb recording from a very talented pianist…Sameer Ramchandran guides his listeners through a compilation of beautiful choices, ably assisted by Dominic Duval on bass and Newman Taylor Baker on drums, with all the style and panache of first class musicians. His treatment of Very Early is both sensitive and skillful and what a pleasure it is to hear The Summer Knows again played so well. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and have added it to my playlist having already played it several times on my national jazz program “A Jazz Hour” which goes out weekly across Australia to over 181 stations, I will continue to play it forever. It is magic!” – Barry O’Sullivan Producer/Presenter of “A Jazz Hour” across Australia “Sameer Ramchandran is a young player bubbling with energy, whose largely lyrical ideas seem perfectly suited to his colleagues’ freedoms…A good disc by a new name worth watching” – Jason Bivins, Cadence Magazine, November 2006 “This is a superb recording for a debut CD. Mr. Ramchandran and his two colleagues are terrific from first to last. The interpretations of standards works well and the arrangements are fresh and lively, the Musicians interweave extremely well and complement each other with fluidity and understanding. The playing on Mr. Ramchandran’s originals is also top class and these tracks are ‘no mere stand alone’s’, but remain melodic and fresh. There is no doubt that I will feature several tracks from this CD on forthcoming Programmes. Top quality, I look forward to the follow up.” -John Reid, Keith Community Radio 102.8 F.M. Keith Banffshire Scotland
Roundabout
Sameer Ramchandran Trio