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Music In My Mind

by Shawn Maxwell

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    12" Vinyl LP

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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 10 Shawn Maxwell releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of J Town Suite, Story at Eleven, Expectation & Experience, Millstream, Music In My Mind, New Tomorrow, Bridge, Shawn Maxwell's Alliance, and 2 more. , and , .

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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
He Gone 04:33
7.
King Bill 03:58
8.
9.
Glamasue 06:30
10.
Snow Snow 04:33

about

Downbeat Magazine Editors’ Pick, June 2018

“... the vision of a composer who’s confident in his artistic vision, and comfortable with the wide array of colors on his instrumental palette... He’s pulled off a feat that many 21st-century bandleaders strive to achieve: the creation of fresh, head-bobbing music that avoids a tiresome groove and that gives band members room to soar... twists and shifts in time signatures elevate this music in a brainy, yet accessible, manner. The bandleader has surrounded himself with talented accompanists, and Dee Alexander’s wordless vocals on three tracks showcase Maxwell’s superb skills as an arranger... In Maxwell’s hands, a musical segment might seem abrupt when it initially arrives, standing in contrast to what preceded it, but by the song’s conclusion, the listener has grasped an overall sonic cohesion. It’s a feeling that grows with repeated spins of this excellent album.” - Bobby Reed, Downbeat Magazine, June 2018

“... highly exciting release... joined by a stellar cast of players... I’ve been a firm believer for a long time now that when jazz is performed by the author, you get/hear a lot more of the soul behind the tune, and the fresh sound you’ll hear on this 6:37 song [title track] verifies that I’m correct on that... Most Highly Recommended.” - Rotcod Zzaj, Contemporary Fusion Reviews, April 2018

“Once again, the Chicago sax man shows he just doesn’t like to make the same record twice. Going way more free jazz than he has in the past, he certainly whips his cohorts into a frenzy as they whip up a wild racket that comes together instead of falls apart. Feeling inspired by Coltrane’s sheets of sound, this is a first class trip for those looking for a wild ride that doesn’t roll off the rails.” - Chris Spector, Midwest Record, April 2018

“To be bored listening to Music In My Mind, you definitely will not have to. The energy that Maxwell's music radiates, coupled with the skill of Shawn himself and his colleagues, the prominent masters of the Chicago jazz scene, just will not let you.” - Leonid Auskern, JazzQuad.ru (translated from Russian)

“... highly anticipated by fans and critics on the basis of Maxwell’s previous work... the songs on the recording seem the result of creative genius... a lot going on, some of it musically complex, but none of it boring... a masterful recording. It might take a while for audiences to unpack, but reading the notes and careful listening will pay big dividends on this one.” - Dodie Miller-Gould, Lemon Wire, April 2018

“Music In My Mind opens with "Our Princess Is In Another Castle," a delightful title for a delightful and strange tune, perhaps my favorite. There is a bit of New Orleans fun at the start, with some good work on percussion, mixed with elements of a big band about to explode into unknown territory. And then it slides into something else entirely, and that's all within the first minute. This track features some wonderful vocal work by Dee Alexander - voice, but no lyrics. For a moment, it seems this tune is about to end, but then it returns to that first wild section, if only briefly. This tune feels like the score to a wonderfully demented trip. It gets into some strange territory, a gloriously contained and orchestrated chaos.” - Michael Doherty, Michael Doherty's Music Log, May 2018

“... a more modern approach that employs different levels of dynamics simultaneously... There's a busyness to the sound that comes from meticulous composing and strong pushes of sheer originality... There's a lot of talent here, patiently taking turns to shine, and that's where it sounds so different than the traditional Great Lakes vision of precision and teamwork. It's a swirling, detailed delivery that constantly circles around in your mind... These ten original compositions from Maxwell are given flight by his versatile sax -- his shifting of gears is fluid and he has a lot of emotions at his fingertips...” - Marc Phillips, The Vinyl Anachronist, June 2018

“... the title track, “Music In My Mind”, comes equipped with two melodic ideas on the theme, effectively built by piano and voice (in strict collaboration with the horn section). After a sharp individual statement by Garcia, the musicians embark on a swift, complex counterpoint steeped in the classical genre. Maxwell reserves a solemn section played in five for himself, delivering an estimable improvisation on alto saxophone before returning to the previous classical mood... Maxwell and his associates dabble in a colorful urban jazz that stews with heat. Adopting a feel-good posture that rejects any kind of pessimism, the band provides the listener with ear-pleasing melody, lively interactions, and catchy orchestrations.” - Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail, June 2018

“Over the past decade and change woodwind player Shawn Maxwell has established himself as an innovative composer and a sophisticated improviser. Each of his recordings is simultaneously unique and bears his indelible signature style. Music In My Mind is no different. Using a few different ensembles Maxwell has crafted a remarkably cohesive work that brims with poetry. The intricately constructed originals allow individual expressions, that crackle with spontaneity, to meander within them resulting in an organic and vibrant album... With every addition to his discography Maxwell successfully explores new and bold ideas while remaining rooted in the fundamentals that characterize his artistic output. Music In My Mind also follows that model. It is refreshingly distinct yet recognizably Maxwellian. Thus, it makes for a satisfying listening experience.” - Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine, September 2018

“After a series of well-received mainstream recordings, Chicago-based alto saxophonist Shawn Maxwell moved into a "taking more chances" mode with Shawn Maxwell's New Tomorrow (OA2 Records, 2016). Much of the sound there fell into the exploratory, even avant-garde area. He delves further into that territory with Music In My Mind... His writing is always — but even more so here — highly original and compellingly listenable... a highly original songsmith who boasts the ability to bring together a group of top rate musicians to craft a distinctively modern jazz sound, start to finish.” - Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz, September 2018

His compositions create a wide variety of moods, forming swirling polyphonies with the horns on “Our Princess is In Another Castle” and the changing dynamo “Another Monday.” The keyboards create a hip and funky mood as trumpet and alto team with Dee Alexander’s voice on “Maxwel’s House” while his flute grooves on “Glamasue” and ”He Gone.” The team forms rich and alluring textures on the warm and embracing title track as Alexander, Garcia and Maxwell create a molten gold paste of sound. Soulful soul sounds.” - George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly, July 2018

“Chicago musician Shawn Maxwell (alto sax, clarinet, flute) has been recognized for his leadership with his quartet and his dectet. He now augments his group “New Tomorrow” with guest appearances by three of the Windy City’s most respected trumpeters: Victor Garcia and Chad McCullough (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Corey Wilkes (trumpet)... The music is all original material by Maxwell and the group plays splendidly throughout. There is also a wonderful interaction among the players. Lots of variety and terrific playing!” - Dave Rogers, WTJU Virginia, May 2018

credits

released May 18, 2018

Shawn Maxwell – alto saxophone/clarinet/flute
Dee Alexander – voice (1, 2, 4)
Victor Garcia – trumpet/flugelhorn (2, 8)
Chad McCullough – trumpet/flugelhorn
(1, 3, 4, 5, 9)
Corey Wilkes – trumpet (6, 10)
Matt Nelson – piano/rhodes
Patrick Mulcahy – electric bass (6, 10)
Junius Paul – electric & acoustic bass
(1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8)
Tim Seisser – electric bass (3, 9)
Phil Beale – drums
Stephen Lynerd – vibraphone (5)
Kalyan Pathak – percussion (7)

Produced by Shawn Maxwell & Nick Eipers
Recorded by Nick Eipers, Assisted by Suzie Calarco
Recorded at Shirk Studios, Chicago, IL
December 12-14, 2017
Mixed & Mastered by Nick Eipers at Crann Darach, Chicago, IL

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about

Shawn Maxwell Chicago, Illinois

As a composer, recording artist and performer, saxophonist Shawn Maxwell has endeavored to express his own unique voice. From his latest album Millstream (Jazzline, 2020) to his debut Originals (self-released, 2005), he has released nine albums of original compositions. . ... more

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