Nick Maclean [Solo Piano - double album]- Can You Hear Me? (Browntasauras Records)

This double album, a debut solo piano release from award-winning Toronto pianist NICK MACLEAN, takes influences from jazz piano greats such as Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau, as well as that of his two divergent ensembles: Snaggle and Nick Maclean Quartet. Maclean, whose groups have frequently been lauded for the strength of their collective improvisatory vision, continues here in that unconstrained spirit with courageous risktaking and musical exploration springing from in the moment inspiration. Shaped by Maclean's respect and trust in producer Brownman Ali’s impactful, omnipresent guidance, Maclean delivers rich and prismatic interpretations of originals, standards, and other spontaneous contemplations. Thus, this solo pianistic odyssey's completion represents Maclean's most vulnerable, personal, and intimate recordings to date.

Can You Hear Me? - Nick Maclean's debut 18-track, double disk solo album - features 7 Maclean-penned compositions, 8 standards, and 2 spontaneous improvisations, all recorded at the renowned Chalet Studio in Uxbridge, ON. Produced by internationally acclaimed trumpet player and producer Brownman Ali, this new double album was released in Canada on Oct 31, 2021, and will be released internationally on Dec 10, 2021 on Browntasauras Records. This is Maclean's fourth release for Browntasauras, following those by his two award-winning ensembles, Snaggle (The Long Slog & Christmas Tune, 2016) and Nick Maclean Quartet (Rites of Ascension, 2017).

“Nick Maclean has superior piano skills, coupled with great ideas and emotional execution.”

Randy Brecker

Photo Credit: Elaine Louw Graham

Disc 1

1. Dolphin Dance (H. Hancock) 8:00

2. All of You (C. Porter) 8:09

3. Someday My Prince Will Come (Churchill/Morey) 7:05

4. Why the Caged Bird Sings 6:20

5. Difficulties of Discernment 11:48

6. Rational Discourse 3:54

7. Circle of Influence 14:05

8. It Could Happen To You (Van Heusen/Burke) 8:54

9. Estratagema feat. Brownman Ali 5:23

Disc 2

1. Blackbirds (Lennon/McCartney, R. Henderson) 7:58

2. Spartacus Love Theme/Nardis (A. North/ M. Davis) 10:33

3. Tell Me Something I Don’t Know 13:37

4. Footprints (W. Shorter) 6:23

5. Things Ain’t What They Used To Be (M. Ellington) 5:53

6. Variations on a Porkpie Hat 6:53

7. The Truth Of It 15:17

8. Message to My Unborn Child 0:53

9. Zion 6:35

All songs by Nick Maclean unless otherwise noted

NICK MACLEAN - piano

Brownman Ali - producer, percussion & drumset (Estratagema)

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Nick Maclean - Can You Hear Me? [double album] October 31, 2021 Browntasauras Records

This double album, a debut SOLO PIANO release from award-winning Toronto pianist Nick Maclean, takes influences from jazz piano greats like Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau as it traverses jazz standards, spontaneous improvisations, and epic, original odysseys - all suffused with courageous risk taking and musical exploration springing from Maclean's in-the-moment inspirations and shaped by producer Brownman Ali's guidance. This release is a true collaboration between Maclean and Ali, showcasing a deep musical relationship of trust and mutual respect. Thus its completion represents Maclean's most personal and intimate recordings to date with all the intriguing challenges, opportunities and possibilities that go with it.

1. Dolphin Dance

2. All Of You

3. Someday My Prince Will Come

4. Why The Caged Bird Sings

5. Difficulties Of Discernment

6. Rational Discourse

7. It Could Happen To You

8. Circle Of Influence

9. Estratagema (feat. Brownman Ali)

10. Blackbirds

11. Spartacus Love Theme / Nardis

12. Tell Me Something I Don't Know

13. Footprints

14. Things Ain't The Way They Used To Be

15. Variations On A Porkpie Hat

16. The Truth Of It

17. Message To My Unborn Child

18. Zion

Nick Maclean -- piano

Brownman Ali -- producer, percussion, drum set

Chalet Studio -- recording studio (David Chester, owner)

Justin Meli -- tracking engineer

Josh Bowman -- mix engineer

Luisito Orbegoso -- percussion mix engineer

Justin Gray -- mastering engineer

Browntasauras Records -- record label

Neil Padaloy -- album cover art

Dave Restivo -- liner notes

PREORDER

Nick Maclean Quartet - Rites of Ascension (BROWNTASAURAS RECORDS 2017)

This album, the debut release from the Nick Maclean Quartet, represents a modern re-imagining of the spirit of Herbie Hancock's primordial 60's quartet. Not to be confused with a "tribute" recording, this record has a character of its own, while being an homage to Hancock's influence on Maclean both as pianist and composer. The depth of the synergistic connectivity between all 4 hand-picked members of Maclean's quartet are a cornerstone to the ensemble's sound and group dynamic. Thus its completion represents Maclean's examination of the modern jazz ethos with all the intriguing challenges, opportunities and possibilities that go with it.

About the NICK MACLEAN QUARTET 

This contemplative and often thrilling quartet's explorations of modern, original repertoire is led by a fast-rising star in Toronto's jazz piano community, 25 year old NICK MACLEAN.

Formed in 2016, Maclean's foursome delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, taking influences from Herbie Hancock's primordial 1960's Blue Note era recordings, while paying tribute to some of the greatest improvisers in jazz history. 

Repeatedly regarded as a modern take on the ferocious and hard-swinging post-bop era, the group has been busy in the Ontario jazz club circuit and featured in numerous festivals and concert series including multiple appearances at the Toronto Jazz Festival both as a featured ensemble and an often requested backing band. In addition to their original material, the ensemble has also mounted several popular tribute series to jazz masters including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Clark Terry & Cole Porter. 

The group is frequently lauded for the strength of their collective improvisatory vision and features one of Canada's most provocative improvising trumpet-playing iconoclasts Brownman Ali, standing shoulder to shoulder with Maclean & two of Toronto's top-tier rhythm section 20-somethings: Jesse Dietschi on bass and Tyler Goertzen on drums. The synergy of the 4 is always palpable in concert. 

The quartet's debut 11-track full-length album "Rites Of Ascension" features 6 Maclean-penned compositions, 1 Brownman original and 4 re-imagined Herbie Hancock classics, all recorded at the renowned Canterbury Studios in Toronto. Produced by Brownman Ali, this new release will be available on Browntasauras Records internationally in the fall of 2017.

www.browntasauras.com

www.nicholasmaclean.com / NickMacleanQuartet