Source Material - Mike Baggetta Quartet
Mike Baggetta, Guitar / Jason Rigby, Saxophones
Eivind Opsvik, Bass / George Schuller, Drums
2011
Fresh Sound New Talent (FSNT 388)
Tonic
Nathan
Liberty
Momentum
The Sky & The Sea
The Winter Moon
A Trust Issue
Projections
Camp
“Source Material” (Fresh Sound New Talent), the new album by the guitarist Mike Baggetta, suggests a busy variety of postbop, but not one without room to breathe.” - Nate Chinen, The New York Times
“Source Material” is modern music as it should be played, not only about cogent solos and sonic experimentation but also melodically strong and filled with striking interplay. Much of the music is played at lower volumes so pay close attention and reap the musical rewards.” - Richard Kamins, Step Tempest
“Guitarist Mike Baggetta creates a remarkable collage of images that are framed by his composition, writing with abundant skill and bringing an immediate presence to music carried to fulfillment by his band. He has some of the best musicians here, who interact with fluidity and add texture and ambience on the road to resolution... Baggetta proves all over again that he is an enlightened guitarist and composer. With much happening stylistically and diversity being captured with confidence and verve on this CD, listening to the quartet is quite simply, a joy.” - Jerry D’Souza, All About Jazz
“Guitarist Mike Baggetta is full of surprises on his second release with this quartet, with unusual moods and textures the order of the day. A hot young gun on the New York scene and winner of an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, comparisons will be made to Bill Frisell and Ralph Towner, but that's certainly not all there is to Baggetta. While he shares some stylistic elements and sense of space with both, he goes his own way more often than not.” - Jeff Wanser, JazzReview.com
“When Baggetta solos, his penchant for unspooling melodies in interesting, less-traveled directions is clear. His works feel more like contemplative musical voyages than the merely technical displays that can sink jazz efforts. Source Material is a sophisticated, often beautiful listen, the product of a fertile musical sense that hails from the jazz world but employs a much broader palette.” - James Heflin, Valley Advocate
“There is an overall dreamy quality to this disc which reminds me of ‘In a Silent Way’ by Miles Davis for the first few songs. By the time the quartet get to ‘Momentum,’ they take off for some great, slow-burning fusion-like explorations. Mike switches to solo acoustic guitar on ‘The Winter Moon,’ which is a most haunting piece with elegant guitar-work. The writing and playing is consistently strong and inspired throughout.”
- Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
In performing the award-winning compositions of its guitarist-leader, the Mike Baggetta Quartet displays an intense focus on group interaction, fearless improvisation and a too-seldom-heard patience in their interpretation of each song. “Source Material” follows up the group’s debut album on Fresh Sound New Talent, “Small Spaces,” with a deeper view into Baggetta’s compositional aesthetic. From the playfully teetering “Projections,” to the somber ballad “Nathan,” to the night sky tone poem “Camp,” each song seems to create an unheard-before mood. All players are featured interacting throughout with Schuller’s drums starting off the album on “Tonic.” Baggetta’s electric guitar is featured on the uptempo “Momentum,” while his acoustic playing is showcased on the Ralph Towner-esque solo piece “The Winter Moon.” “The Sky & The Sea” features a beautiful solo bass introduction by Opsvik. This is truly new music full of original voices and beautiful heartfelt performances.
