Peter Erskine - 1986 "Transition"

Peter Erskine has done loads of work with the uber producer/arranger/composer Vince Mendoza. They've collaborated on some of my favourite jazz CDs - More or less all of Vince's solo stuff, Jimmy Haslip's "ARC" and Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" so I was wondering how come Vince hadn't worked on any of Peter's albums?

Then I learned about this one browsing amazon.com a few weeks ago, while trying to see if Vince has anything new out. I ordered it without even listening to the sound samples and this album is a testament to the fact that good music never dates. This album was released NINETEEN years ago and it sounds as fresh as if it came out last month! It features some of my biggest heroes - Pete and Vince themselves (of course), with John Abercrombie, Joe Lovano and Bob Mintzer. Brilliant from beginning to end.

Great CD! I have owned this CD for 12 years. Two things to listen for: The variety of the cuts is amazing. It really keeps you suprised. Second, the intensity of Erskins music grabs you. I am not tired of it after 12 years.

Started listening to this CD again after some years - its still as vital and intriguing as I recall the first time - Definitely stands the test of time - outstanding.

The original album cover is very "scary/hairy" photo array of PE, but a great recording, nevertheless.
It's J. Abercrombie, M. Johnson, K. Werner, J. Lovano, B. Mintzer.

I remember Joe talking about making that date, it went down while i was studying with him. He said Erskine had been hanging at a lot of Paul Motian gigs and had really gotten into the trio with Joe and Bill Frisell. Erskine did some very nice writing on this record (he wrote some real melodies) the material covers a fair amount of ground with lots of different moods, but it still has a unified sound.

Recorded direct-to-2-track digital at Power Station Studios, New York City, on October 16 and 17, 1986.

https://jazz-rock-fusion-guitar.blogspot.com/search?q=Peter+Erskine

 Track listing:

01     Osaka Castle     6:47
02     The Rabbit In The Moon     1:19
03     Corazon     5:04
    Suite: Music From Shakespeare's King Richard II
04     Introduction     1:31
05     Music Plays     7:16
06     Sonnet     2:32
07     Transition     8:02
08     End Hymn     2:39
    -
09     Lions And Tigers And Bears     2:58
10     The Hand Speaks Hold     8:04
11     Smart Shoppers     5:03
12     My Foolish Heart     5:14
13     Orson Welles (Intro)     0:52
14     Orson Welles     5:53

Personnel:

    Drums, Electronic Drums, Gong, Synthesizer, Computer, Producer – Peter Erskine
    Acoustic Bass – Marc Johnson (2)   
    French Horn – Peter Gordon (8)
    Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer – John Abercrombie
    Piano, Synthesizer – Kenny Werner
    Synthesizer – Don Grolnick (tracks: 3, 6, 10, 11)
    Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
    Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Joe Lovano