Album Notes

MARK MILLER of THE GLOBE AND MAIL, CANADA;

"...he stands with the best of his generation."


JERRYD'SOUZA of Webzine ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM;

"Barnes knows his way with a tune..."


CJSF RADIO (Canadian College Radio)

"This recording is an important statement by a very fine Canadian musician."

"...it is a striking recording."

"... you are saturated with Daniel Barnes' superb playing and technique."


GEOFF CHAPMAN, THE TORONTO STAR, Nov. 20th, 2003;

"The...disc's title is a deliberate summation of Barnes' priorities, with his original tunes (six of the eleven) serving notice of his wide ranging interests."

“...the new disc is very good.”


GEORGE EVANS, PLANET JAZZ MAGAZINE Fall 2004:

“On this eclectic program, bandleader Barnes establishes himself as one of the strong new voices in Canadian jazz.”

JIM GALLOWAY, WHOLENOTE MAGAZINE Toronto Canada:

Daniel Barnes is no new comer to the scene, having toured for periods of time over a ten year span in Europe, U.S, Caribbean and Africa with Ethiopian singing star, Aster Aweke, gigging locally and backing singers such as Holly Cole, Molly Johnson and Carol Welsman, and playing in such diverse musical settings as those provided by Joe Sealy, Jane Bunnett and The flying Bulgar Klezmer Band. This varied background may explain the wide range of music on this CD: Bop Latin, Reggae and some funky R 'n B. In spite of such a mixed bag, the album holds together and is consistently rewarding.

"Culmination" features an array of Toronto talent, fourteen musicians in all, although never more than seven on any one number and sometimes as few as three, in a varied and interesting program, consisting of Barnes' own compositions and standards ranging from Coltrane's Equinox to an updated version of After You've Gone written by John Turner Layton and Henry Creamer in 1918. Five O' Clock Shadow is the opener and I almost resisted the temptation to say it grows on you!

Strong solos by the horns of William Carn, Kevin Turcotte and Kelly Jefferson and a catchy theme set the tone. There is also a healthy dose of Mike Murley on the album and that never ever hurt anybody, while on piano Robert Botos adds a sure touch, displaying maturity beyond his years. But this is definitely a Daniel Barnes showcase , both as a drummer and a composer/arranger.



Credits:

Produced by Daniel Barnes
and David Travers Smith.

Drums, Percussion, vocals; Daniel Barnes
Piano; Robi Botos
Bass; Marc Rogers, Rich Brown
Saxophone; Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson
Trumpet; Kevin Turcotte
Trombone; William Carn, Mierion Kelly
Guitars; Levon Ichkhanian, Niel Chapman
keyboards; Gord Sheard, Robi Botos
Percussion: Armando Borg, Alan Heatherington