"The performances are all first rate, as is the writing, and I can tell this is a CD that will be getting "heavy rotation" on my player." - Mike Metheny, trumpet/composer, Kansas City
“...an artistically rewarding and great sounding recording with an emotional immediacy that is impressive. A high level of interactive musicianship is displayed... Perhaps the biggest revelation on this CD is the consistent sophistication of the well crafted compositions. Rich Lamb is the composer, and while there is no doubt that this is a jazz recording brimming with improvisational skill, there is an almost "classical" structure underpinning the intelligent chord progressions and often beautiful and evocative melodies.” - Chris Brubeck, bassist/composer
"Music Along The Way" is bassist Rich Lamb’s debut CD as a leader although he gained notoriety with the 80's fusion band "Dry Jack" on two records released by Inner City Records. It is a collection of original jazz compositions that have been compared to the writing of Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, Tom Harrell and Oregon. Featuring cornet master Ron Miles (currently performing with Bill Frisell), pianist Chuck Lamb (currently performing and recording with The Brubeck Brothers) and drummer Chris Lee (currently with the alternative chamber jazz group Primal Mates), the music is melodic and lyrical and played with sincerity, openness and with a hunger for the beauty that resonates with the heart. Like Oregon, there is an organic group sound as the music is delivered freshly, spontaneously and creatively.
Rich Lamb is currently residing in the mountains of Colorado and, as it states in the liner notes, has put this music together to convey the beauty of the world he sees. Each piece is an ode to what he loves and cares about, which offers a music completely natural and thoroughly original. And as with an 8700 feet above sea level atmosphere, the music is a breath of fresh air.
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