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By jamming exuberant, hard-edged lines into the net of composed and improvised sections, Peter Furlan blends the tradition and the contemporary with structured arrangements. While the individuality gives the project supplemental color, unity is what holds it together. This is a fun album.
Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail
www.jazztrail.net/furlan
“Literature as inspiration for music is of course not a new thing, but Furlan’s spirit for both artistic disciplines, and the rewarding musical quality of the result, is worth recommending here.”
Joe Maita, Jerry Jazz Musician
www.jerryjazzmusician.com/on-the-truntable-furlan
Furlan is a New York area saxophonist who leads a mid-sized band of experienced players. Their years of working together have resulted in an intriguing blend of discipline and adventurousness. The capacious baritone saxophone of Roger Rosenberg begins the interwoven fun and games of Furlan’s “A Visit From The Goon Squad” Some of Furlan’s arrangements may remind listeners of ensemble ventures by such predecessors as Rod Levitt and Chuck Israels but, overall, Furlan’s writing suggests an original mind at work. That is as true of his energetic pieces like “A Visit From The Goon Squad” as of the relatively relaxed tracks, which include “Invisible” and “Black Hole Blue.” Furlan’s aggressive soprano saxophone solo on “Black Hole Blue” is a highlight. Rosenberg’s bass clarinet interludes on “Transatlantic” are reminders of why that versatile reedman is in steady demand.
Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
www.artsjournal.com/rifftides/furlan
“Between the Lines, an album inspired by contemporary literature, is a captivating amalgam of musical possibilities powered by saxophonist/composer Peter Furlan’s lifelong love of reading, and his writing and instrumental chops, which stand along side the most accomplished jazz musicians. Peter’s original music is played by an ensemble of New York area heavyweights including longtime collaborators trumpeter Vinnie Cutro, who played with Horace Silver, and Sonny Rollins’ last guitarist Saul Rubin, a friend since their days at the University of Hartford under the wing of Jackie McLean. The result is an audio tapestry rich in diversity and emotional content. Repeated listening only serves to enhance this highly satisfying musical experience.”
Bret Primack, Jazz Video Guy
www.jazzvideoguy.com
This is what jazz folks usually call a little big band. The ten piece unit under Peter Furlan sound big enough and are very well integrated. The ensembles are played with precision and a lot of thought seems to have gone into producing various different tone colours…..
It certainly has a distinctive sound and the sound colours produced are unique to Furlan’s little orchestra. … The music on all tracks has a distinctive flavour, in some ways like the old Gil Evans orchestras when Gil recorded under his own name…, this is a very good session.
Derek Ansell, Jazz Views UK
www.jazzjournal.co.uk/peter-furlan-project
…A Visit From The Goon Squad opens with baritone sax in cartoon film mode and progresses into a triumphant big band blow out with catchy guitar, trumpet and keyboard soloing en route.. ..this is a collection of clever arrangements with accomplished musicians that proficiently blend the composed with the improvised… ..”an eclectic mix of straight-ahead, funk and post-boppish jazz with a distinctly big band style of delivery” Brian Payne, Jazz Journal UK
www.jazzviews.net/peter-furlan-project
REVIEW: Peter Furlan – SPY GLASS HILL
Peter Furlan’s New York love affair with the Caribbean is evident in the ambitious mambo big band arrangement for the 14-member brass and reed section of “Sleep Talking.” The performance effectively renders the arrangements’ suggestive jazz and Hispanic mores with groove, swing and plenty of feeling. His intimate pursuit of heated musical passions ensues in “Echoes of Rachelle.” Its melodic, flute-tinged, bongo-influenced, big band piano-seduced romance –featuring guitar and tenor sax solos– is extremely well written. In this tune, Furlan’s tenor sax renditions, dedicated to his wife, are impeccable in any regard. Javier AQ Ortiz, All About Jazz
www.jazzviews.net/peter-furlan-project