Original Cinema

Original Cinema is the twenty-sixth album by Spyro Gyra, recorded and released on February 25, 2003 (see 2003 in music).^[2]

Review

A slightly sharper edge surfaces in Spyro Gyra's second effort for the Telarc-affiliated Heads Up label. While their performance still tilts more toward easy listening than searing fusion, there's a bit more punch than usual in the upbeat tracks. Frontman Jay Beckenstein cultivates a slightly grittier sound by concentrating largely on tenor sax, while a trio of guest percussionists adds dimension to the beat on several numbers, especially the festive "Cape Town Love." The tour de force performance is probably "Flashback," largely because Beckenstein goes it alone, blowing some eloquent, Wayne Shorter-style lines against his own more than serviceable pre-recorded piano accompaniment. The filmic theme, reflected in the titles of several tracks, is more affectation than substance; in truth, Original Cinema extends rather than detours from the path laid down for a quarter century by this smooth jazz juggernaut.

Track listing

1. "Bump It Up" (Julio Fernandez)
2. "Extrovertical" (Jay Beckenstein)
3. "Dream Sequence" (Jay Beckenstein)
4. "Party Of Seven" (Joel Rosenblatt, Bette Sussman)
5. "Big Dance Number" (Jay Beckenstein)
6. "Close-Up" (Julio Fernandez)
7. "Film Noir" (Jay Beckenstein)
8. "Cape Town Love" (Beckenstein)
9. "Handheld" (Scott Ambush)
10. "Funky Tina" (Julio Fernandez)
11. "Getaway" (Jeremy Wall)
12. "Calle Ocho" (Jay Beckenstein)
13. "Flashback" (Jay Beckenstein)

Personnel

• Jay Beckenstein - Saxophone
• Tom Schuman - Keyboard
• Julio Fernandez - Guitar
• Joel Rosenblatt - Drum
• Scott Ambush - Bass

Additional musicians

• Dave Samuels - Vibes
• Andy Narell - Steel Drums

References

External links

• Original Cinema on Spyro Gyra's official website