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Playground (Michel Petrucciani album)

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1991 studio album by Michel Petrucciani
Playground
Studio album by Michel Petrucciani
Released1991
GenreJazz
Length39:19
LabelBlue Note
ProducerMichel Petrucciani, Eric Kressmann

Playground is a jazz album by the French musician Michel Petrucciani, released in 1991. It features his generally acoustic-based approach being transformed by the addition of synthesizers and electric bass guitar in the ensemble, as well as a more funk-rhythm driven approach to the music. It made the top 10 on Billboard's Jazz Albums chart.

Playground was produced by Petrucciani and Eric Kressmann. Omar Hakim and Adam Holzman contributed to the album.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic

The Chicago Tribune wrote that Petrucciani's "artistry is great, but the slick, synthesized backgrounds (for which he is listed as arranger) make him work to get the music to skate over them without falling down." The Boston Herald opined that "erstwhile acoustic jazz powerhouse Michel Petrucciani delivers an array of fusion styles, ranging from breezy Crusaders-style workouts to the jagged funk made famous by the late Miles Davis."

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "Actually, all 11 of Michel Petrucciani's originals are worth hearing and, despite the brief playing time of this CD, it is recommended."

Track listing

All tracks composed by Michel Petrucciani, except as noted

  1. "September Second" - 4:42
  2. "Home" - 5:26
  3. "P'Tit Louis" - 4:42
  4. "Miles Davis' Licks" - 4:27
  5. "Rachid" - 3:25
  6. "Brazilian Suite #3" - 2:33
  7. "Play School" - 3:03
  8. "Contradictions" - 2:57
  9. "Laws of Physics" (Adam Holzman) - 4:44
  10. "Piango, Pay the Man" - 1:52
  11. "Like That" - 1:37

Personnel

  • Michel Petrucciani - piano and synthesizers; arrangements
  • Adam Holzman - synthesizer and synthesizer programming; co-arranger
  • Omar Hakim - drums (all tracks except tracks 5 and 10)
  • Steve Thornton - percussion
  • Anthony Jackson - bass guitar
  • Aldo Romano - drums (track 5 only)

References

  1. "New Releases". Orange County Register. June 2, 1991. p. H25.
  2. Stewart, Zan (7 June 1992). "The Bold Sound of Michel Petrucciani". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 51.
  3. "Jazz Pianist Michel Petrucciani, 36". Newsday. 7 Jan 1999. p. A48.
  4. ^ Yanow, S. AllMusic Review accessed September 15, 2011
  5. "Jazz Albums". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. Billboard. 30 Aug 1991. p. 24.
  6. "Playground by Michel Petrucciani". Billboard. 103 (30): 66. Jul 27, 1991.
  7. Karlovits, Bob (December 8, 1991). "Entertainment". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. J5.
  8. Rideout, Ernie (Jul 1998). "Breaking serious rules". Keyboard. 24 (7): 42, 48.
  9. Fuller, Jack (15 Sep 1991). "Recordings". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 29.
  10. Convey, Kevin R. (January 15, 1993). "Discs". Boston Herald. p. S16.
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