A Review of Double Yellow

Double Yellow's eponymous CD has about as much to do about expressing their individual personalities as it does about any musical concept, not meaning to imply that its craziness has not been mapped out. What results is a patchwork quilt of bizarre sound textures, some quite humorous, from four serious-minded (without being obsessive) and obviously extremely accomplished instrumentalists: Rob Blakeslee (trumpet and flugelhorn), Brad Dutz (gongs, cymbals, tablas, balaphone, agate chimes, concertina, berimbau, shakers, clay bowls, and an assortment of more exotic percussions), William Roper (tuba, conch shells, voice, wine glasses, and gong), and Michael Vlatkovitch (trombone and hand claps); oh yes, and some tongue in cheek from all four!

Some might question whether this is jazz. Where's the swing? But there is plenty of improvisation; fascinating spur-of-the moment chatting going on simultaneously here between four real characters, yet none trying to out shout the other. And exaggerated instrumental intonations, common in jazz, are here in spades, resulting in a wonderful pastiche of sound. Though the music has a serious face, humor is always slinking about in the background, waiting to erupt in some grotesquely funny way at the appropriate moment. Moreover, you'll find its real beauty runs deep, far more than a collection of aural artifices. If you are not hidebound by the notion that music must be steeped in tradition, then Double Yellow deserves your ears. Remember, today's invention is tomorrow's convention. So, dare to take a chance, shuck that old suit; it may very well change your whole outlook. --Russell Arthur Roberts, L. A. Jazz Scene, November 2000

• Double Yellow purchase information
• The Tuba Story
• Upcoming Events
• Discography
• Hocus Pocus

• order JUNETEENTH, a new CD by William Roper
• A great pork recipe