Reviews

JackMouse

Jack Mouse Group
Tall Grass Records (TG8284)
2018

Jack Mouse - drums
Scott Robinson - tenor saxophone
Art Davis - trumpet & flugelhorn
John McLean - guitar
Bob Bowman - bass

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Tracks

1. Barney's Fife
2. Old, New & Used Testaments
3. Intimate Adversary
4. Adamant Inversary
5. Nineteen Sixty-Five
6. Twas Never Thus
7. Jacomo
8. Three Heads Are Better Than One
9. Three Free

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For the extraordinary drummer/composer Jack Mouse’s latest album Intimate Adversary, he departs from his two previous collaborative and more freely improvised Tall Grass releases – Snakeheads & Ladybugs and Three-Story Sandbox – to focus on his outstanding compositional talents and mastery of classic jazz leadership. Accompanied by his brilliant longtime cohorts, his quintet takes on nine pieces that display their command of all forms of post bop era jazz, along with a delightful taste of 50s-style swing and a compelling gospel blues.

The musicianship is exceptional, not only in terms of the consummate artistry, but also in that most precious element of jazz expressiveness that can only exist in the essence of musicians who know, respect and love each other’s creativity, producing that perfect synergy of unified intent.  Even a seemingly simple blues is transformed into a multi-faceted gem. Further unifying the ensemble is Jack’s marvelous drumming – always viscerally creative, stimulating the soloists and providing the bonding substance that fortifies the structure. Mouse also composed eight of the nine pieces, the ninth co-composed with Robinson and Bowman – a work that embraces the more collective style of Jack’s other recent albums…. and provides tangible evidence that “free” jazz is of the identical substance in rich musicality to the more traditionally recognized forms.

Intimate Adversary is a wonderful excursion into jazz expression at the crossroads of tradition, adventure, virtuosity and joyful exuberance.

Intimate Adversary

​Grady Harp, Amazon.com
“The musicianship is exceptional, not only in terms of consummate artistry, but also in the most precious element of jazz expressiveness that can only exist in the essence of musicians who know, respect and love each other’s creativity, producing that perfect synergy of unified intent… Further unifying the ensemble is Jack’s marvelous drumming – always viscerally creative, stimulating the soloists and providing the bonding substance that fortifies the structure… This is sheer musicality, radiant swing and utterly compelling creativity.”

N. Scott Robinson, Percussive Notes
“Drummer Jack Mouse swings so comfortably and complementary that he reminds us of what a drummer’s album should strive for… This album commands the listener’s attention with its expressive, musically mature quality and hidden sonic surprises throughout its interactive dedicational spirit. Mouse plays with seasoned assuredness that younger drummers should take a listen to.”