New Chris Greene Quartet record

fingers · #1 03-25-2008, 09:15 AM

I've posted a couple tracks from the new Chris Greene Quartet record on my site. They are scratch mixes. I know there are a few folks around here that asked about the next record. It will be officially released this summer. The tunes are once again engineered by yours truly.

Go to www.marcpiane.com and click on News. It is under the first entry in the News section. The site has been a little slow today so please be patient.

Chris Greene - saxophones
Damian Espinosa - keys
Marc Piane - acoustic bass
Tyrone Blair - drums and percussion

fingers · #2 03-25-2008, 10:22 AM

If you are having trouble getting my page to load I also posted them on my myspace page. They are called Adamantium and Amalgasantos.

fingers · #3 03-26-2008, 10:27 AM

If anybody has any reviews, good or bad, they are welcome. Even a critique of the production would be helpful. I am in the process of mixing it right now (as I write). Thanks.

christ andronis · #4 03-26-2008, 11:36 AM

Marc, I'm not hearing as much bass as I think it warrants. (Don't I sound like a typical bass player?) I've listened on several different sets of speakers and you seem to like that "ambient" kind of bass sound. IMO the drums are the only thing i hear making that groove go forward. I've no doubt that you're playing some nice stuff but, to my ears, I'm not hearing it. As you yourself have said, maybe another set of ears for mastering? Just my .02. Keep it up! When's the release party?

fingers · #5 03-26-2008, 11:53 AM

Thanks man. I do like the bass a bit more embedded in the mix though I hear what you are saying. I also just have one mic on the bass and produces less 'direct' of a sound. I'll take a look at that though. Thanks for the input.

My guess is we'll do the release at M-Lounge again. I think Chris is talking about June for a release date. I'll keep you posted.

christ andronis · #6 03-26-2008, 12:28 PM

My guess is there's probably alot of bleed on those mics. What kind of isolation was there, or were you just recording live together? My brother, who is a pretty darn good engineer in his own right, always told me to isolate the bass and drums in the mix and blend them together with the rest after a good balance had been achieved. Anyway...theres 2 more cents...for nothin'

fingers · #7 03-26-2008, 01:03 PM

The drums are in a booth. The bass, keys, and sax are in the same room. There are some drums in the bass mic still. He's a pretty hard hitting guy when he is in a booth though very good at balancing live.

Personally I really like the sound of 'live' recordings. My favorite are the recordings done on CIMP. All in one room. Stereo mics. I have a great Charlie Kohlhase record and also a Roswell Rudd date on that label. They basically have a great sounding room, two great mics,and a digital recorder. They use no compression or effects. You hear just what the engineer did.

That said I did tweak the EQ on the bass track a bit and turn the drums down a tiny bit too. The bass comes out more now. Thanks for the input.

gnergaard · #8 03-27-2008, 12:36 AM

First of all, DAMN you guys are hip!
But since you are asking for comments on a recording, I think I should add that the general tone of the recording is a bit "upfront" for my tastes.
I think that the seminal recording for 'this type' of jazz record for me (modern, tight drums, electric keys, etc.) is Joshua Redman's "Elastic". I hope that's not too far off the mark! If that is a reference for you in this recording then I'd say you are largely successful. The big difference is that Elastic features an organ/synth bass and that you are playing (burning, really!) on an upright acoustic. I would love it even more if I could hear more texture ('woodiness', string sound, finger noise, etc.) out of the bass. Right now I'm hearing the notes kind of punch or bloom through with a lot of low end and not much upper-mid content and it sounds a little too much like an organ. It is nicely audible in the mix, and very reminicent of the tones on Elastic, but not 'acoustic' enough for my tastes.
Drums could use some reverb or atmosphere. It sounds like a booth- albeit a decent, good sounding, but tight booth. Tones are all there and it's well recorded so I'm sure that won't be a problem.
I REALLY like the wurlitzer sound. I like Wurlitzer in the first place but that particular sound is tweaked in a way that I've never heard before. Really nice low-fi/hi-fi contrast. The sax sounds very good but maybe could benefit from some more highs? There's a focus on the midrange that is very clear and compelling but I'd love to hear more "air" or breath.
As always, it's really hard to talk about this stuff based on an MP3 so if you think that the compression involved is what I'm hearing then ignore these comments, of course.
You are a badass bassist, and I'm happy to discover, a talented recording engineer as well.
Good luck!

fingers · #9 03-27-2008, 07:33 AM

Geez, thanks man. These guys are a blast to play with. This is definitely a 'whole is greater than it's parts' thing. Whenever we've had to use a sub, no matter how badass, the vibe is just not the same. It's hard to know when you're on the inside if you are communicating that vibe. It's great to hear positive (and negative) comments. Thanks.

Thanks for taking a listen for the production value too. I have never been formally 'trained' as an engineer but I've been playing with stuff since I was a little kid (my dad is a musician). I'll tell you computers have made this whole recording thing way easier and less expensive.

I took notes on the critique of the production and will take a listen when I work on it some more later today. Thanks for taking the time to be my sounding board.

gnergaard · #10 03-27-2008, 06:31 PM

Listening to your stuff is a real pleasure.
I can hear what you are talking about- your ensemble has a special vibe that comes through in the recording.
Hope to catch you live sometime soon.