David Liebman’s Notes on Reimagined: Jazz Standards, Vol.1
In his own notes, Mike Zilber very clearly describes what jazz musicians have traditionally done when playing the standard repertoire. Though some purists may differ on the subject (along with composer Alec Wilder who wrote a famous editorial lambasting jazz players for changing a composer's intentions) and keeping in mind that after all it is a matter of taste, I have always felt personally that we have no choice but to put our own stamp on these chestnut tunes. After all, who can do it better than Miles, Monk, Trane or Newk to name only a few? I remember hearing Aretha Franklin singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” years ago and hardly recognizing the song, but really digging how individual it was-and for me improved!!
What Mike refers to as “reimagining” could on a more technical level be called “reconstruction” or “deconstruction.” I must admit that I have never heard such abstractions of standards before, though it seems to be in the air these days. To use even just one small element of a tune and make that the leimotif for a new format is the modern generation's way of handling standards. Whereas we used to reharmonize, change meter and possibly change melody, Mike completely rewrites the tune and puts in front of the musicians an extremely challenging improvisational format to blow over. (By the way for the non musicians reading this, the techniques Mike uses are extremely sophisticated on a purely technical level.) With musicians like Steve, Paul, and John, the outcome is an unqualified success.
Mike really has an original voice. Descended from a strong Wayne Shorter influence with others intertwined, his thought processes are very compositional when he plays. He is not afraid to take chances saxophonically speaking (“Manteca”) and plays with a raw passion that is always apparent (“Mood Indigo”). Steve brings to the music influences from other genres and of course an impeccable technique while Paul and John take care of the business at hand-contributing when called upon and holding the line where they have to, which is especially important on such challenging material. “Giant Steps” is just amazing and for my taste, I think the new “Solar” melody is superior to the original, dare I say!
When I first heard this CD I was knocked out by the concept immediately. I think that this recording marks a step forward in the time worn tradition of each musical generation's placing their own slant on the jazz legacy. The cliche of putting old wine into new bottles is very accurate for this recording. A true adventure awaits the serious jazz listener-this music is not for the faint of heart.
— Dave Liebman