We all know the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”. The same can be said of a record. But I must admit it was the cover of Michael Adkins debut album Infotation that attracted my attention first: a lonely house with the a bird’s silhouette in a blueish green coloring that looks lost and abandoned. Or in other words this looks like a promising jazz album that may contain rewarding songs. And I wasn’t disappointed with this album, quite on the contrary.
Michael was born in Sarina Ontario and began playing saxophone in his childhood and by age 15 already played in various local bands. He was influenced by the usual suspects of Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins or John Coltrane. After a stay in Boston Michael eventually moved to New York to pursue his career as jazz musician.
One of the fruits of his labor is the Infotation album, which was already recorded in May 2000 but has only been released this year.
Infotation features eight original compositions by Michael Adkins which he had recorded in the classic jazz trio setting of (tenor) saxophone (Michael Adkins), bass (John Hébert) and drums (Ian Froman).
The result is great piece of instrumental jazz that grabs your attention and - if you’re willing to - lets you get lost in the trio’s sophisticated, complex and beautifully constructed songs.
Michael’s saxophone playing is vivid and invigorating whether on the more swinging Juxtapiece or the slow introspective groove of A Gate In Spring. It’s really hard to pick a single song here, because for me this albums works best a whole piece of music from start to finish.
It’s a brave move from Michael to debut with an album full of original compostitions but that and the tight, excellent playing of Michael and fellow musicians John Hébert and Ian Froman is what makes this album so impressive.

Tracklisting of Infotation: 1. Infotation/ 2. Code 2/ 3. Juxtapiece/ 4. Close At Hand/ 5. Loop/ 6. A Gate In Spring/ 7. Trés Olive/ 8. Stir | released 2005 by Semblance Records

For more infos visit michael-adkins.com, cdbaby.com and semblancerecords.com.

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