Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ark Ovrutski: Journey Moments

Ark Ovrutski: Journey Moments

By Mike Jurkovic
July 18, 2018
View read count

In lineage with his previous releases—notably Sounds of Brasil (self produced, 2011) and Intersection (Origin, 2016))—bassist/band-leader/composer

Ark Ovrutski

bass, acoustic
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Ark Ovrutski's fourth release Journey Moments is a tightly wound, expertly realized collection of five originals and four like-minded covers that nudge Ovrutski closer to the upper ranks of today's jazz.

Journey Moments creates an overall sense of time and place, how we move from one moment to the next, interpreting our lives in the quieter moments. Launching with the loose-limbed rhythms of "Second Line" and a blow-out,

Eddie Harris

saxophone, tenor
1934 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Harris-style performance from sax-man

Myron Walden

saxophone, alto
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Myron Walden that allows plenty of head space for Ovrustki, pianist

Benito Gonzalez

piano
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Benito Gonzalez and drummer McClenty Hunter to introduce themselves to the rhythmic mix and a deep taste of what to expect next. And next is

Frank Foster

saxophone
1928 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Foster's feverish "Simone," coming off an opening wash of cymbals, bass, and sax, and blooming into a full-blown hard-bopping, time-honored Blue Note 60's-style session. With that in mind,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" is an unapologetically bump-and-jump fest, the quartet celebrating their creativity with sheer ribaldry.

Besides the fluidity of the quartet, most obvious is the wit and textured nuance Ovrutski brings to his music, be it original compositions or cherished covers. Glowing examples are the humorous play between bass and sax on

Ron Carter

bass
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Carter's "For Toddler's Only" (Carter also provided the descriptive liner notes), the New York meets New Orleans beat of "New Orleans" and the percussive drive of "Sounds of Brasil."

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Second Line; Simone; Flower; Lester Left Town; For Toddlers Only; New Orleans; Dolphin Dance; Sounds Of Brasil; Uptown.

Personnel

Ark Ovrutski

bass, acoustic

Ark Ovrutski: bass; Myron Walden: saxophone; Benito Gonzalez: piano; McClenty Hunter: bass.

Album information

Title: Journey Moments | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Ark Ovrutski Music

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Drift
< Previous

Moku Maluhia - Peaceful Island
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.