Album Notes

Ground-Breaker came about like most of the events that shape the direction of my music, it just happened. Well, let\'s say it happened with some careful planning. When I say planning, I had been telling our audiences that we would soon record the music we played in concert but didn\'t have a clear idea as to when. One day our recording engineer and friend Jim McGee suggested Bennett Studios in Englewood, NJ to record the new CD. Bennetts Studio is run by Tony Bennett\'s son Dae Bennett. I took his suggestion and glad that I did. Most of these songs we have been playing in concert for almost a year. In that time the songs evolved with each member of the quartet adding something different and unique to each piece. I hope you enjoy the new music and feel the love and enthusiasm we have for jazz and for you, the listener. Enjoy. Eric Mintel August 25, 2008

"This recording is a real-time performance. We tracked it in one night on a big old Neve vintage console in an incredible room with serious mic.s and great people. Several cuts were first takes, never more than 2. The musicianship, creativity and positive vibe in that room produced a CD that is reminiscent of the way jazz used to be recorded. A classic CD of which I am proud to be a part. Thanks guys!" Jim McGee, engineer.

Review by Hrayr Attarian as it appeared in all about jazz August 8, 2009.
The title of a record may be misleading, and even when it promises more than it delivers, it doesn't necessarily mean that the music is of poor quality. Eric Mintel's Ground Breaker does no such thing but it is a solid, well above average effort in the post bop tradition.

The original tunes are all complex, intricate compositions by Mintel, allowing each musician plenty of solo space. The music has the loose swinging beat of 1950s Blue Note recordings, but the use of an electric bass instead of an acoustic gives a modern sensibility that does not seem out of place at all. The tunes alternate between modal and more standard bluesy hard bop, as well as subtle elements of western classical music. Although Mintel counts Dave Brubeck as his mentor and idol, his playing is more reminiscent of the lighter toned pianists of '50s jazz including Kenny Drew and Barry Harris.

The lone horn player in the group is Nelson Hill, whose sound on flute and alto saxophone is derivative—but not a mere copy—of James Moody's later work. The rhythm section, with electric bassist Dave Antonow and drummer Dave Mohn, deftly anchors the music and its members occasionally solo with quiet passion. The music is recorded on an old-fashioned console which, in addition to impeccable sound, this adds to the album's old school charm.

There is a unity of theme throughout, even when the sole standard, "When You're Smiling," is introduced. Unity, however, does not mean monotony because in their intricate improvisations and interpretations of the multilayered compositions, the musicians imbue the music with enough variety to maintain interest through more than one listen.

Unlike its title, Ground Breaker does not break new ground but is a high quality recording of post bop by a quartet of highly creative and talented musicians.

Eric Mintel is a Yamaha endorsed Artist for the Yamaha Corporation of America endorsing the Yamaha C7 Concert Grand and CP300 Keyboard. Nelson Hill is a Yamaha endorsed Artist endorsing the YAS-82Z alto saxophone, the YTS-82Z tenor saxophone and the YSS-62 soprano saxophone. Dave Mohn is endorsed by Sabian Cymbals and Dave Antonow plays the Ken Smith 5 String Electric bass. CD design and layout by Eric Mintel. Cover photo taken at Superior Turf & Landscape Inc, Furlong, PA. Photos by Henry Wein.
www.EricMintelQuartet.com Bookings 215-354-0557 emqjazz@bellatlantic.net