As the DJ for WCPN 90.3 FM Cleveland's jazz programming, I'm always a little apprehensive when someone hands me a CD and says..."My friend is the best jazz glockenspiel player...."  ;-) But when a colleague from the newsroom passed this CD to me a few weeks ago, I tossed it on.  When I saw that Peter Apfelbaum was involved I figured, "Well I'm sure it will be decent."  Understatement.  I really loved the feel of the whole thing.  Sam is a great player and the tunes were things that stuck in my head.  Too often, young musicians are either such slaves to the tradition that it sounds like a trip to the museum or they are trying so hard to "break the rules" that we end up with the same old "out" clichés.  I thought Sam struck a great balance between the camps, in part because it sounded as if he was just being himself.  It was a pleasure to be able to feature “Summer Victory Dance” on my Tuesday night jazz program this week here at WCPN in Cleveland and the response has been very favorable.   Thanks again for the good jazz!
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I really enjoyed this disc.  It's a well balanced, high energy album.  The virtuosity of many of the players is apparent throughout, certainly including Sam's vibe playing.  It's hard to believe he's just eighteen.  Inspirational sax work from Peter Apfelbaum and a really enjoyable trombone solo from Marty Wehner.  I wish the CD had more of him!  The contrast between the three drummers who play on the recording really works for me; it takes the music in different directions and lets Sam's vibe work shine.  Ballads are genuinely moving.  Mostly there is a great deal of pure musical FUN on this recording.  You can tell that these guys really enjoy playing together.  Production quality on the CD is first rate and having Sam's liner notes is a big plus, although the type is so tiny you need a microscope to read them.  This is a solid album, from start to finish.
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I bought 2 copies.  One to have at home and one to have in my classroom at school.  I'm sharing it with everyone I know.  Love it!
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In my humble opinion you have the birth of a winner with “Summer Victory Dance”.  Sam’s “Unraveling” is worthy of inclusion in the 2008 Playboy Jazz Festival.  Extremely, provocative, romantic and giving of his soul to the song.  Followed by “Rite of Passage”:   Classic jazz with all the foundation that made this music what it is.  Really enjoy the sounds of the vibes, perfect.



I thank you for the opportunity to listen to the great CD, which I am enjoying as I write.



Thanks Michael and Sam.
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