Album Notes

A deep and distinct pianist-and-reedist team (both compose), the quartet is rounded out by bassist Scott Colley and drummer Bill Stewart. Overall, they're graceful, tasteful, sleek and somber playing through well-tempered arrangements and freer, united modal explorations. The four channel their energy, love their ballads and plumb acoustic luxury.

Howard Mandel DOWNBEAT (4 stars).

CADENCE
The review of Jazz & Blues:
Vol 20 No.11 November 1994
3:: This is a very satisfying session with two men who play from the Gospel According to John Coltrane and Blue Note. Franck Amsallem and Tim Ries don't blatently imitate any kind of Sixties sound but they do have a feel for the period. Ries is an intense saxophonist with a driving lyricism on soprano as hot as Dave Liebman's and a full expansive wail on tenor while Amsallem's piano combines McCoy Tyner's firm touch with Herbie Hancock's energy. All of the compositions are intelligently constructed originals. Amsallem's "On Second Thought" and "Ode to Mr. Blue", Tend to move straight ahead while Ries' "It Happens" and "The Shames" are grander and more ornate."The Shames" is a particularly lovely theme with a crashing dramatic piano introduction leading into a pretty but taut melody led by Ries' piercing soprano. The action up front is well fueled by manic drummer Bill Stewart whose galloping style is a cross between Gene Krupa and Max Roach, bashing and crashing with suprising taste and sensitivity. There is a lot of heat and lyricism all the way around in this set.
~ Jerome Wilson