Regular Columnists

Artist: Patricia Julien Project
Album: "Glee"
CD Review: Genre: Jazz
Sounds Like: ?
Technical Grade: 9
Production/Musicianship Grade: 8
Commercial Value: 7
Overall Talent Level: 9
Songwriting Skills: 8
Performance Skill: 9
Best Songs: All of them!
Weakness: ?
CD Review: Just as I was lamenting about the lack of quality Jazz projects I've received this year, along comes Patricia Julien, a flutist from Vermont. Her abstract Jazz project which conisists of concise compositions that are executed with passion and precision, is best when consumed in its entirety - the hallmark of an outstanding project.

From beginning to end Patricia and her ensemble cast of players which include Jeremy Harlos, Bass; Alec Julien, Guitar; and Ari Hoenig, perform the material from this project organically and without pretention. Of particular note are the rhythmic arrangements that stimulate and maintain your interest, affording each each player a supporting and featured role on the various selections. Normally I select the outstanding tracks from a CD that I deem the most "commercial," but Jazz is not a commercial genre; it's a musician's genre and when I get a project that flows seamlessly like this one, I can't help but to feel, well, a sense of "Glee" about the accomplishment.

Advice: Perform! That's what this project is about. Showcase those skills to any and every audience you can find.

www.particiajulien.com