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Hands On reaches #4 on the JazzWeek playlist chart and remains on the
chart for 14 weeks!
“From
Charlottesville, Virginia, Robert Jospé and his Inner Rhythm showcase
a polished, jubilant mix of straight-ahead, Latin, and funk on Hands On.
Jospé’s crisp, tight grooves seamlessly merge styles. Hot!"
Modern Drummer August 2004
“If “Hands On” isn't hands down the most appealing CD by
percussionist Robert Jospe and Inner Rhythm, it’s still a winner
by a good margin. ....the music is charged either with great spirit and
drive..or imbued with the kind of romantic lyricism that gets under your
skin. Jospe deservedly gets top billing here, but he often defers to an
impressive lineup...”
Mike Joyce The Washington Post June 4, 2004
"Drummer Robert Jospe and Inner Rhythm turn in a spunky Latin jazz program with Hands On. Jospe's septet projects a notable sense of depth throughout these largely, melodic works. Jospe is an adept timekeeper, thanks to his in-the-pocket grooves and energetic breaks with percussionist." Kevin Davis DownBeat Magazine November 2004
“If
you don’t know Robert Jospe by now, it’s time you became acquainted
with this highly creative drummer, percussionist, and composer. His latest
release, Hands On (Random Chance) is simply a masterpiece of fine jazz-
all highs with now low spots...... Fresh sounding solo improvisations
and equally exciting arrangements give this CD my highest recommendation.”
Ken Wibecan Soundcheck Lake Champlain Weekly, Vermont
Featured in JazzTimes
Magazine June 2004
“With Hands On, Jospe and his simpatico musical mates deliver a high
class, high caliber outing. If they give those “Virginia’s Finest”
stickers to CDs, this disc deserves one.”
Jim Newsom PortFolio Weekly, Hampton Roads, VA April 6, 2004
“Robert Jospe's Inner Rhythm is carrying on the Latin jazz tradition
as well as anyone these days... This album generates feelings of longing
as well as festivity and earthiness.”
Owen Cordle The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC March 7, 2004
“'Hands On' is clean, refined- solid through and through and built
for a mature ear...Charlottesville is blessed with these artists.”
Frank Darrell C-ville Weekly March 29, 2004
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“Time To Play”
reaches Top 5 for fourthweek in a row on Jazz Week National Radio
Chart, 3/14/03 Independent Music Award Jazz Finalist Featured in Modern Drummer Magazine, Nov. 2003 |
"(Robert Jospé) has a Latin soul,
and his septet leans heavily on the clavé for many of the dozen
pieces here. Jobim’s “Stone Flower” is a highlight..."
****
James Hale -- Downbeat Magazine September '03
"Percussionist Robert Jospe serves up another Blue Note special with
'Time to Play,'fresh yet evocative arrangements... displaying customary
verve, finesse and ingenuity...a series of textured and multihued performances
that are alternately seductive , contemplative and contagiously rhythmic."
Mike Joyce Washington Post
"Robert Jospé has one of those clean,spirited and tight-sounding
jazz combos, with peppy assuredness, radiating enveloping healthy vibes...'Time
to Play' is the drummer’s follow up to his triumphant “Blue
Blaze”. The ensemble playing is an exercise in eye-catching, pan-rhythmic-interwined
jazz that captivates from its cooker opener... Recommmending Jospé
and associates is a rather undemanding task; they do that well by themselves."
Javier Quiñones JazzTimes
"Robert Jospe’s' Time To Play' is a percussion masterpiece.
Each tune on this fantastic recording showcases Jospe’s talents."
Ethan Gutzeit Jazz Improv Magazine
"'Time To Play' synthesizes the best elements of Latin jazz and
hard bop, creating a panoply of songs that are both adventurous and fun...
Many of the tracks on Time To Play can’t help but generate excitement
with Jospe’s incredibly powerful backbeat. But all told, this is
the kind of jazz album that’s just as rewarding to listen to as it
is to dance to. In other words, now is the time to play 'Time To Play.'"
Ken Hohman www.allaboutjazz.com
"'Time To Play' is aptly titled, with Jospé’s
long-time ensemble, Inner Rhythm, 'playing'in every sense of the word...Point
is, the album is fully realized in every way--in its writing, its performance,
even in its sequencing. The album documents Jospé’s continuing
development, and should enable him to continue widening both his horizons
and his audience. Michael Coyle Cadence Magazine
"Charlottesville’s Robert Jospe is currently setting the jazz
world on fire with his third album, Time to Play... a masterpiece of percolating
polyrhythms, blending the classic trumpet/tenor sax frontline of the hard
bop era with contemporary world beats and Latin percussion. It’s
a hip musical feast, guaranteed to set your feet and fanny in motion."
--Jim Newsome Port Folio Weekly, Hampton Roads, VA
"Robert Jospe is back with another jazz tour
de force. Jospe and his group Inner Rhythm combine
salsa, swing, and world rhythms into a potent, high-energy stew. As jazz
performers try to find ways to infuse other rhythms from around the globe
into their music, they need only look to Robert Jospe-he’s already
leading the way." --Ed Trefzger, editor Yellow Dog Jazz report,
www.jazzweek.com
"Drummer Robert Jospé is one of Virginia's best jazz musicians.
Jospé is a strong but not domineering figure in every selection,
complementing horns, guitar and keyboard with rhythmic foundations of
vitality, dynamism and wit. Altogether, one of the better recent showcases
.... played with seemingly effortless precision and recorded with realism
and presence." --Clarke Bustard, Richmond Times Dispatch
"If you dig Poncho Sanchez, Tito Puente, Horace Silver and Blue Note records of the '60s, you'll dig Robert Jospe's "Time to Play" (Inner Rhythm).... the grooves are irresistible. There are also plenty of driving, intelligent solos and bright ensemble work." --Owen Cordell News and Observer, Raleigh, NC
"As good as his last recording was ”Time to
Play” is even better. It features tight arrangements, sensitive playing
and a creative fire that marks it as one of the best new jazz releases
of this young year. .... The titile cut, written by Jospe is about as
good as contemporary jazz gets." --Bill Kramer GO!The News Leader,
Staunton,VA
"From the first lead-in beat ....the urge to nod your head ...and shake your hips increases exponentially with every track, until you have no other choice but to surrender yourself to this album’s near-tidal pull." --Mark Grabowski The Hook, Charlottesville,VA
“Time to Play”.... moves with a sun-drenched warmth that speaks from the laid-back, happy side of the jazz idiom. Immediately conjuring images of warm trade winds..Jospe’s jazz glides from place to place." --Matthew Hirst C-Ville Weekly
Read Reviews from "Blue Blaze":
"Robert Jospe directs a wild ride
on Blue Blaze, scanning emotions and time zones, from the pensive to the
positively buoyant. He makes big noise on traps, playing flourishes over
and under the time. His tune "Night Out" has some nice dissonant
horn lines and an upbeat swing that suits the shadings of guitaristWayne
Shorter's "Infant Eyes" is gorgeous, and Jospe makes the drums
speak with mallets.
"The septet interprets the classic Lee Morgan
tune, "Calling Miss Khadija," letting it flow like a slow stream,
adding colors all along the way. Jospe plays a swinging Latin funk with
a half-time feel, mixing samba and Stax, and many of his horn arrangements
reflect his highly informed rhythmic sense."
--
Down Beat Magazine,
June 2001
"Jospé and his septet shine on this tight, upbeat album. The mixture
of jazz, R&B and island influences is delightful and Jospé's grooving,
tasteful drumming complements the emphasis on ensemble work." --Modern
Drummer, Nov 2000
"Blue Blaze...uncommonly fresh and expansive...Jospé has recast and in some cases reimagined the tunes of Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Blue Mitchell, Kenny Durham and Wayne Shorter. The results are always entertaining and often surprising." --Mike Joyce, Washington Post
