My husband purchased this CD as a present for me. I listened and found myself loving the sound of every track! Recently I had to take a train to visit my brother in Pittsburgh. Listening to this CD while riding on the train was awesome! My dad used to play jazz with his friends on the week-end. I would always tag along.  Thank you Jay, for allowing me to relive a part of my past that I will always cherish.
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Jay Umble's current release, "Spirit Crossing," is an adult contemporary / world beat collaboration with international percussionist, Jamey Haddad. Umble studied with Pat Martino and Joe Diorio and is currently teaching at both Brucknell and Susquehanna Universities. He is also the author of several instructional books for Mel Bay and performs throughout the central Pennsylvania area with his traditional and contemporary trio projects. Jamey Haddad is a Fulbright recipient and has played with David Liebman, Paul Simon, and the Paul Winter Consort. He also teaches at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Throughout the recording, Haddad produces dense rhythmic backdrops for the guitarist's delicate, melodic excursions. While Umble's playing is fluid and masterful, he forgoes extended improvisations in order to create lush, rich, harmonic soundscapes. The album is a perfect study in elegant understatement, where his inspired soloing does not overshadow the inherent beauty of the compositions. Noteworthy contributions are also made by JD Walter on vocals, Andy Alonso, Mike Bitts and Steve Meashey on bass, and Andy Roberts on keyboards. This recording is an effortless listen, with thoroughly engaging compositions and performances at every juncture. The opening, "Falling Water," fills the room with rich, dramatic imagery reminiscent to the vintage ECM recordings of the seventies. "Kim" is a pleasant duet with nice Brazilian inflections offering subtle echoes of the late Baden Powell. The playful "Flashback" finds the duo in a Pat Metheny mode with Umble melodically "rocking out" to Haddad's supportive backbeat. "Spirit Crossing" is an eclectic array of sonic explorations blending Jazz, Rock, Pop, Folk, and World into a cohesive collection of alluring music. This is a recording that has tremendous commercial potential, without reverting to cliché-driven predictability. The compositions are particularly captivating with memorable melodies and interesting textures, which should please listeners with a wide variety of musical tastes.
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This album is great!  It's that simple.  Jay creates harmonic landscapes that you can get lost in.  My favorite track has to be Just Say the Words.  It is a beautiful example of the skill with which Jay can wrap his music around you.  Enjoy!
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As a student of Jay's at Susquehanna University, I learned a lot about the guitar, not only as a melodic instrument, but as a mathematical one.  His style always intrigued me, and I was very excited to hear what he'd create.  "Spirit Crossing" does a great job of blending music styles from all across the board and across a broad timeline.  It's a great listen all the way through, and is a perfect way to kill time if you've got a long trip ahead of you.  Highlights for me were Narragansett and Just Say the Words, but in all honestly, every track shows a great talent and appreciation for music.
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