out of print--sorry

Featuring:

Doug Robinson/piano, guitar, electric upright bass, drums, vibes, vocals

NewYork

• Mike Stern/guitar
• John Patitucci/acoustic bass
• Ben Perowsky/drums
• George Young/alto and soprano sax
• Rob Mounsey/Yamaha VL1 synth

L.A.

• Dave Carpenter/acoustic and electric bass
• Scott Amendola/drums
• Hollis Gentry/tenor and alto sax

With special guests on “Man With The Horn”

• Frank Rehak/trombone
• David Scott and Bruce Gilbert/tenor and alto saxophones

Recording this album was the most thrilling thing that has happened to me in a long time. There I was, sitting in the studio with John Patitucci, one of the best bassists of my generation, and Mike Stern, whom I consider to be the Jimi Hendrix of jazz guitar. I honestly didn’t know whether to ask for their autograph or tell them to take it from letter “A,” but they were just terrific team players, there for the music.

I have been blown away by the reaction to this CD. It’s jazz, and it’s contemporary, but I hesitate to call it “contemporary jazz.” No drum machines, no noodling over two-chord progressions here-just my quirky little tunes and lots of exciting improvisation by a bunch of world-class artists.

Click here for Real Audio samples. Help yourself to an MP3 of "New York Blues," then head over to our On-Line Store and pick up a copy of Plays Well With Others.

A Minor Corazon The Man With The Horn

Making this album gave me one last chance to play with my mentor and friend of 15 years, trombone legend Frank Rehak. I met Frank in 1969 when he entered Synanon to kick his heroin habit for the last time. I was 14, and seeing him in such terrible shape made a big impression on me.

Once he cleaned up, he took me under his wing and began to pass on his vast knowledge about everything musical. We recorded many times together, mostly on Synanon’s primitive multi-track recording equipment.

In 1986, Frank was battling cancer of the esophogaus. We both wanted to get his sound on tape one last time, but day after day, he would show up too wiped out to do anything more than put together his horn and blow a couple of notes.

But one night he said “Be ready-- tomorrow is the day.” I went to my studio and composed a song about his wild life called Man With The Horn. He arrived bright and early-- I suspect he simply didn’t take his medication that day. He listened to the song once, gave a hearty laugh and ripped off a beautiful, lyrical solo. Although we had 6 more months of hanging out together, that was the last I ever heard him play.

After his death, I gave the song to his wife, Sandy, and only played the tracks for our friends and other trombonists who wanted to hear anything by Frank. But in 1997, I isolated his horn and re-recorded the rhythm track (the old ones were just cheesy midi tracks), and augmented the arrangement with our mutual friends and bandmates David Scott and Bruce Gilbert on saxes. The result is track 13 on Plays Well With Others, and I hope it is a fitting tribute to this generous man and his outstanding music.

A Review By Blaine Fallis
About.com’s Guide To Jazz
11/02/98

And the CD is very nice! Doug writes intricate, beautiful melodies that are executed to perfection by this cast of pros. George Young slices his way through a soprano solo on the second tune, "A Minor", while Fattburger's Hollis Gentry III pronounces a bold tenor sax theme on "Sweet Themis" and rips through "Sambarimba."

Mike Stern is featured on plenty of solos too, and Doug adds nice piano work throughout. The CD includes a tribute to Doug's mentor, trombonist Frank Rehak, whose playing was captured by Doug for the last time back in 1986, before Frank's death from cancer. Doug was able to incorporate that recording into "The Man With The Horn" (featuring Doug's only vocal performance of the record--wouldn't you know it, the guy can sing too!) Rob Mounsey and Doug collaborate on "Miles Behind." Rob uses a Yamaha VL1 synthesizer on this to produce a harmonica-like sound that sounds amazing, while Doug plays all the other instruments himself.

John Barrett from U.S., February 16, 1999
This is a very nice album, which manages to sound "contemporary" without the sterile sound found in smooth jazz. It boasts big names, some unheard of players, and one legend. It this sound is for you, so is this album.

RThaler38@aol.com from Los Angeles, California, January 17, 1999
Original songs with top notch arrangements and improvisation.

Doug Robinson is a new and original voice in Jazz today. His versatility as a performer along with his talent at composing and arranging make this a must have album for any serious Jazz fan. He has put together an amazing group of musicians and created one of the most satisfying CD's in recent memory. His tribute to mentor and friend, the late Frank Rehak, is worth the price of the CD alone.

Brad Biondo from Slingerlands, NY, December 14, 1998
Great jazz from a star-studded group of top-notch musicians.

When I listen to an album that I'm going to review, I put on the headphones, take out the clipboard, and sit and listen and take notes. I had been looking forward to this CD, because I'm familiar with Doug's other productions. It wasn't until the third cut that I realized I hadn't written any notes yet. That's how engrossed I became with the music and the liner notes. The notes are a refreshing combination of insight, information, and Doug Robinson humor…Just another plus to a great album.

The finale to this must-have album has a great story, a great trombone solo, a great tune, great harmonies, a great arrangement, great lyrics, and some great 3-part vocals from Doug. Frank Rehak, an early mentor for Doug, and an accomplished and renowned trombonist in his own right, did the trombone sections of the song back in 1986. He died six months later from cancer, and Doug had shelved the recording until now (you have to read the whole story in the liner notes). It's a fitting tribute and a fitting straight-ahead jazz tune to sum up a wonderful set of music. I only hope this review has done enough to convince you to get a copy and listen to it.

A music fan from Springfield, Ohio, December 14, 1998
A Tasty Musical Treat For The Most Discerning Jazz Lover.

I believe in giving proper credit and respect to all the jazz giants of the past, but it's time for some new blood. Doug Robinson, with this recording, takes his place among the new jazz giants of the future. Every one of his original compositions is flawless and presents a tasty feast for the hungry jazz lover to devour. Doug has assembled quite an impressive list of musical playmates (Mike Stern, John Patitucci, Hollis Gentry III, Dave Carpenter, Rob Mounsey, et al) to help prove that he does, indeed, play well with others. What surprised me even more was how many instruments Mr. Robinson plays (drums, bass, piano, vibes, guitar) with such skill and passion. Every track on this cd is wonderful and first rate, but my favorite is track number 7 -- "Miles Behind." It's a haunting tune with a hint of Miles Davis mystique added for interest. I can't believe that Doug almost discarded this tune from the line-up. It's one of the best! My advice, get several copies of this fantastic masterpiece -- some for your friends (Christmas is here!) and perhaps two for yourself -- unless it's impossible to wear out a CD!