JD Allen’s previous recording Americana won widespread critical acclaim
for it’s ground breaking melodic and harmonic explorations and for its
impressive emotional intensity. While that album presented Allen’s
ideas with a somewhat contemplative hand, Radio Flyer moves with a more
unbridled enthusiasm, testing the possibilities jazz has for individual
expressionism and improvisational freedom. With guitarist Liberty
Ellman on hand the quartet presents Allen’s seven original compositions
bristling with energy while maintaining a cohesive, comprehensive unity
of thought and purpose. “JD Allen’s writing for the tenor saxophone is
effortlessly idiomatic, embroidered aria-like melodies and singular solo
reflections give way to sinuous vocalastics and spirited dances.
Textures are harmonically and unbelievably rich, yet never clogged.” –
Raul da Gama “The JD Allen Trio is an almost telepathic, three-headed
machine...But it’s important to emphasize that Allen himself is the best
saxophonist under 60 in jazz, destined to be ranked with John Coltrane,
Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, and Wayne Shorter. So if you haven’t been
paying attention, the time to start is now.” – Burning Ambulance
