Wow! Just read this review of In Modern Times in the May 4 issue of Radio & Records and wanted to share it with all of you:

Spyro Gyra
In Modern Times
Heads Up

Earlier this week scientists in Antarctica announced the discovery of minute patterns in a glow from primordial gases, which were probably traces of the forces that set the Big Bang into motion and led to creation of the universe. It may seem a stretch, but listening to Spyro Gyra’s 23rd release and the quintet’s label debut for Heads Up — In Modern Times gave me a sense of the band’s seminal role in what is now called smooth jazz, as well as its creative expansion across time and space. I’ve always loved Spyro’s records, but, to my ear, In Modern Times is the group’s most fully realized album yet. Top to bottom, In Modern Times reflects the group’s stunning ability to create exciting, wholly original contemporary music, a tribute to each member’s unique gifts as composers and players, as well as to the spirit of brotherhood with which it is made — a spirit that imbues Spyro Gyra’s music with timeless appeal.

- Carol Archer


[This message has been edited by Phil Brennan (edited May 04, 2001).]

Hey Hey..........

Now with all of us bass players on this BB you could have told us that Marcus Miller and Wayman Tisdale have new cd's out!!!

Gosh.........

Thanks for sharing that with us Mr. Brennan!!!!
Can't wait to get it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eril.

Another good review! I found this at jazzreview.com

Rick

Review: Celebrating 25 years of recording excellent jazz, Spyro Gyra releases IN MODERN TIMES, a collection of original, finger-clicking, good times jazz songs such as "After Hours," "Feelin' Fine," "Julio's Party," "The River Between," "Groovin' For Grover," "Open Door," "Florida Straits," "Feelin' Fine Pt. 2," "East River Blue," "Your Touch," "Lucky Bounce," and "Planet J." Each song performance is Spyro Gyra at its best!

Spyro Gyra has set many standards of ongoing excellence in the jazz world, incorporating jazz, R&B, Latin, Brazilian, and other jazz motifs into its original performances. They are always fresh and innovative whatever they are creating, and they share that with the listening audience.

Each performer is at his best on IN MODERN TIMES and this is a great feel-good, lively collection of songs. Spyro Gyra is constantly re-inventing itself and coming up with something totally, wonderfully different, and so it is with their IN MODERN TIMES, sure to be a hit with all jazz listeners everywhere. Great songs. Great melodies. Great harmony.

Record Label Website: http://www.headsup.com

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

I got the CD and it is everything these guys say it is..in other words it is "all that"..best Cjazz release this year so far, its the real deal, not upscale musical wallpaper for your next wine and cheese party ..grab it!!

Rick..
I work at 1029 The Point, the 80s station. I had a jazz show for 10 years but when the new owners took over locally originated programming was eliminated on all the stations in the cluster..however the 80s format is trendy right now and I get to do live broadcasts from bars. I have done CJazz shows on A/C and Top 40 stations on and off for 20 years but never worked the format fulltime..largely because I would rather be hyper on the radio than "sultry" and "sensual", which just ain't me..I am doing music features for this site..just go to features and click on for some music mixes that are very contemporary but without so much the easy listeing/lite RnB thing..and I'm not afraid of guitar solos like the one on "Julio's Party".
have to admit that I agree with Carol Archer's words that this is the "most fully realized album ever". But I Would not be allowed to play most of the cool songs on this CD on the radio so for now I would rather play the Talking Heads and Depeche Mode than Vanessa and Luther. Now what is really funny is that there is this stereotype that everyone who has issues with the Easy Listening Smooth radio format is a "jazz purist who has no concept of the realities of commercial radio"..so you should see them backtrack when I tell them I am primarily an A/C-Top 40 person. Oops

[This message has been edited by Shannon West (edited May 15, 2001).]

Just got my new Jazziz mag and sampler CD. Spyro's "Planet J" from the new release is track #2 and if this is any indication of what the CD is about, all I can say is "Wow!" Great arrangement that features Jay's tenor saxophone dueting with a trombonist and Julio closing the cut out.

Still waiting for my copy of "In Modern Times." I have to say that Jazziz this month features a full-page ad of the band, its release, and 2001 tour dates. Downbeat has a half-page ad that is similar. Nice to see the band get some promotional visibility via Heads Up International.

7 more days!!!!

7 more days and we'll have it in our hands and then in our CD players(not to be removed for months!).

Phil, thanks for the "heads up"(pun intended)about the ads in the magazines.

And props to Heads Up for getting behind the band.

Appears they know what they got when the inked the distribution deal!

And as I mentioned elsewhere on this bbs, Heads Up can count on 100-125 concerts this year alone where Spyro will be playing and re-inventing the new tunes live.

Peace!
Paul

does anyone know if may 22 is also gonna be released in hte UK>?
specially for me?
i have an exam on may22, it would be perfect to get it afterwards, and play it to death whilst getting considerably drunk!


[This message has been edited by antiguabil (edited May 17, 2001).]

Shannon,

Do you think any of the songs from "In Modern Times" have potential to cross-over as A/C-Top 40 hits like "Morning Dance" did in '79?

Rick