Elements Untold Stories CD

This CD has some of the best all-around playing by the Mark Egan-Danny Gottlieb group Elements. The band originally started out as a crossover/fusion group, but by the mid-'90s it was much more post-bop with touches of Weather Report and Miles Davis-type fusion. In addition to the co-leaders, the solo strength of keyboardist Gil Goldstein and particularly David Mann on soprano and tenor gave this unit its own musical personality, permanently taking it away from crossover into adventurous (yet accessible) jazz. The seven originals on this live set (six by Egan) serve as stimulating devices for fiery and creative solos, and the music is consistently exciting. Highly recommended, this date is an essentially unclassifiable set of modern jazz. ~ Scott Yanow

"A slamin' fusion affair"-Bill MilkowskiRecorded Live in Japan, Untold Stories captures Elements at it's finest. "The next generation of great improvisors"-The Herald TribuneAll Star Lineup:Mark Egan-BassDanny Gottlieb-DrumsDavid Mann-SaxGil Goldstein-KeyboardsMark Egan is considered to be one of the most respected and in-demand electric bassists on the music scene today. His unique fretless bass sound and style is both distinctive and versatile and his musical contributions incomparable. With eight platinum & three gold albums to his credit, Mark has recorded with the likes of the Pat Metheny Group, Sting, Arcadia, Roger Daltry and Joan Osborne; performed with the Gil Evans Orchestra, Marianne Faithful, David Sanborn, John McGlaughlin and Sophie B. Hawkins and has added his musical prowess to such movies and television shows as; Aladdin, The Color Of Money, You've Got Mail, A Chorus Line, NBC Sports, ABC's All My Children, CNN/Headline News and numerous award winning television commercials. Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, Mark began his musical studies on the trumpet at the age of 10, mainly through the influence of his father who was an avid player. He continued to play the trumpet through high school in jazz bands, R&B groups, the high school orchestra and started playing bass at age 16. He enrolled in the University of Miami School of Music under the direction of Jerry Coker and studied privately with the late, great Jaco Pastorius whose influence remains with him to this day. "When I heard Jaco play it made me aware of what could be done on the electric bass, particularly with regard to grooving and soloing - - Jaco just made me aware of another way of thinking about the bass and music."While in Florida Mark formed a band with fellow University of Miami students; Clifford Carter (keyboards), Hiram Bullock (Guitar), Billy Bowker (Drums) and Phyllis Hyman (vocals). They came to New York in 1976 and soon afterward, Mark hooked up with the Pointer Sisters, Deodato and David Sanborn. Mark's notoriety was gaining and he quickly caught the eye of U of Miami School mate, Pat Metheny - joining the group in 1977. It was through this association that Mark would team up with Metheny drummer, Danny Gottlieb and go on to form the group Elements. To this day, Elements is one of the most highly acclaimed experimental contemporary jazzgroups in the world. The band has recorded over ten full length albums and have toured in over twenty-seven countries. Their uncompromising live sound continues to be on the forefront of the jazz music scene. While Mark continues to work with Elements and hold down the chair in the Gil Evans Orchestra (a position he has held for over thirteen years), his solo projects represent a more personal side of his musical makeup. His solo debut, Mosaic (Windham Hill Records) delved into adventurous territory on his exotic custom-made eight and ten string basses - - painting beautiful soundscapes over multi-layered musical textures. His follow up LP, Touch of Light ( GRP Records) displayed another facet of Mark's creativity. Touch of Light featuring; Danny Gottlieb (drums)Clifford Carter (keyboards) and Bill Evans (sax) proved to be more upbeat and aggressive furtherJazzTimes (10/97, p.77) - "...UNTOLD STORIES will appeal to those who like the excitement of a building improvisation....[it] captures the excitement and intrigue of an evolving live performance by a fine quartet-and will make listeners wish they had been there in person..."