UPDATE: Ramsey Embick’s CD release is on Tuesday, December 1, 6:30pm at Jimmy Mak’s $3
Current conventional thinking goes like this, “I’ve run out of ideas, I think I’ll do an album of standards.”
And then you run across something like Ramsey Embick’s Extended Shelf Life, a solo piano recording which is worth all the rest of the time you might spend wading through all the other albums of standards.
Ramsey Embick
Even though he’s had much success, as the Musical Director for the Pointer Sisters, producer, engineer and player in Los Angeles, he has remained the one great undiscovered jazz pianist in Portland, even though he has played all over town for years.
Don’t get me wrong, all of the musicians know and appreciate him.
This album is flawless, beautiful, thoughtful and like Betty Carter’s work, the fact that he’s playing a standard is irrelevant. He makes you listen with new ears.
Yes, there will be comparisons to Bill Evans. He even does A Remark You Made, but even a cursory listening sets Embick apart.
Perhaps this album will broaden his audience. The other night at the Heathman, when he played with singer Shelly Rudolph the room was packed. It was an exquisite combination.
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ramsey is one of my favorite people in portland, & indeed i agree that his brilliance is under-recognized. he’s one of the finest interpreters of latin jazz anywhere, among so many other styles. i’ve heard him play in quite a variety of contexts, & have really enjoyed his previous solo efforts- he’s mastered the art of home recording too- but it seems strange that the sample here is so far removed from that sound. in fact, this piece is like nothing i’ve heard him play. that said, i dig it very much for its pulsating & relentless energy.
In order to use a sound clip, it must be written by the performer. Most of the album is standards, but the clip included is very much in keeping with the rest of the album.