The cover design to Paradigm Shift's second CD is a bit odd, as it gives top billing to guests Wycliffe Gordon and Marcus Printup (who previously appeared on the trio's Shifting Times), along with multi-reed player Gray Mayfield. But no matter the order of names, this excellent band (with guitarist Melvin Henderson, organist Gerry Youngman, and drummer Jared Schonig) plays a good mix of jazz-funk and soul-jazz. The punchy opener, "Street Expressionism," contrasts Mayfield's hip flute with Gordon's raucous trombone and Printup's sassy trumpet. Mayfield's hip tenor sax is showcased in the streetwise blues "Fallin' Through the Crack," as Schonig follows Youngman's first solo with a strong piano solo (via overdub). Henderson's boisterous "Candi" features Gordon's sassy trombone and Mayfield's robust tenor. Youngman's warm ballad "In My Life" (not to be confused with the Beatles tune) swings gently and will prompt a bit of foot-tapping. He also penned the light, funky "One Last Time." One nice surprise is a side-splitting arrangement of the oldie "Lulu's Back in Town," featuring Gordon, Mayfield (on alto sax), and Printup, who also add a happy vocal chorus. Mayfield stays on alto for the soulful arrangement of Percy Mayfield's "Give Me a Break." The subdued setting of "Small Day Tomorrow" adds vocalist Annie Sellick in a sensuous performance. Recommended.
AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden
The phenomenal follow-up to the Top Ten US Jazz Radio Charts recording Shifting Times (nh 2053). Once again the trio is joined by fellow musicians Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, and Marcus Printup on trumpet, featuring guest appearances by Gray Mayfield on saxophone and flute, and vocalist Annie Sellick.
Melvin Henderson, Gerry Youngman and Jared Schonig make up the band Paradigm Shift, and they are demanding high standards from their recordings: "It is our aim to create music that is original and that will draw people because of what it is, not what it resembles. The music is the gateway. It is the means in which we earn the right to speak to a crowd which would not otherwise listen." And Mel, Gerry and Jared continue: “After a two year wait before going back in the studio, Paradigm Shift played, lived, and observed as much of life as we could all in an effort to become a closer musical family. Street Expressionism is a direct result of those observations. We long ago decided that, although the jazz standards of yesteryear contained all the knowledge we collectively loved or for that matter needed, it was important for us to express some of the many other musical influences that have shaped us. Street Expressionism is a collection of original, traditional, and funk styles of jazz. We pay homage to the masters knowing that we will be learning from them for a lifetime. We also know that there is much to learn from the many voices, sounds and observations of the streets we traverse everyday, sometimes the expressions are humorous, sometimes sad but if we look just beyond the surface, always real. We hope you enjoy this music on any musical, spiritual, intellectual level you may find yourself.“
"With its first national release, Shifting Times, the organ-guitar-drums trio is ready to introduce the rest of the country to its upbeat brand of mainstream soul jazz … Shifting Times is, however, a captivating session of mainly original compositions that owes a great deal to the Blue Note soul jazz of the late 60’s. Equal parts Jimmy Smith, Grant Green and Donald Byrd, Paradigm Shift does manage to pay homage without being completely imitative…"
- All Abou Jazz
"Their lovely compositions can easily compare with some of today’s jazz standards: You immediately like them when you hear them first. They entertain – but have depth, too."
- Jazz Podium
credits
released February 14, 2021
Melvin Henderson - guitar
Gerry Youngman - organ
Jared Schonig - drums, piano
with
Wycliffe Gordon - trombone, vocals
Marcus Printup - trumpet, vocals
Gray Mayfield - sax, flute, vocals
Aaron Staebell - drums (on #10)
Annie Sellick - vocals (on #6)
Recorded on April 5, 13, 14 and 28, 2006 at Blackdog Recording Studios, Rochester, New York.
Wycliffe A. Gordon (born May 29, 1967) is an American jazz trombonist, arranger, composer, band leader, and music educator
at the collegiate-conservatory level.
He also sings and plays didgeridoo, trumpet, tuba, and piano.
Gordon was born into a religious and musical background.
His early works as a professional were with Wynton Marsalis, but soon he expanded beyond swing with new instruments....more
A collection of jazz standards from this Chicago artist recalls the genre’s swing era, with waltzing rhythms and skipping guitars. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 12, 2021