Adventure Playground - John Surman

Advantages: Unusual but effective instrumentation
Disadvantages: Just needs some standout moments

...For this CD John Surman teams up with bassist Chris Laurence, a longterm collaborator and an instinctive choice, and Trans4Mation, a string quartet specially assembled for the occasion, to produce some imaginative music which will appeal to those followers of jazz and 20th/21st century classical music who think the dichotomy between the composed and the improvised is a false one. In a long and varied career Surman has - among other engagements - played saxes and clarinets as a soloist with the Mike gibbs and Mike Westbrook orchestras, developed the use of electronics in the trio SOS, extended the boundaries of jazz singing with his wife Karin Krog, and also produced his own series of albums, mainly for ECM. A feature of a lot of this music has been the infusion of calm pastoral elements into the jazz framework, and this is firmly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: this album is a quality piece of musical creation
Disadvantages: the pace can sometimes be a bit slow

...When I first heard 'Marcy Playground', it was as a throbbing beat coming from the room next door. I went to complain and to borrow the album. On the first listen I thought that only 'Sex and Candy' was the saving grace of the album, but on re - listening to the tracks I have come to appreciate every one as an original musical experience. The music is very chilled and relaxed although the theme of the lyrics can be somewhat disturbing, for example, vampires and suicide. However, this album is perfect for listening to when chilling out on the sofa or for playing whilst you work. 'Marcy Playground' is an album which requires a certain amount of atmosphere to meet it's full potential, however, it should not be missed from anyone's music collection.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: When in the right mood, a few of the tracks could be mildly entertaining.
Disadvantages: Depressing and monotonous.

...Some of you may remember the MTV show 'Up For It' with Eddy Temple-Morris and Zane Lowe. As well as call-in sections and the usual comedy stunts, they showed live performances by bands that were supposedly about to break into the commercial scene. As far as I can remember, not many bands actually made it. Marcy Playground, along with Drugstore and Headswim, stayed firmly on the brink of mainstream. ‘Sex and Candy’ their first and only single released from this eponymous album is the definite standout track. Although quite beautiful compared to the other tracks, it is not really anything special. The song has a much softer feel to it than say ‘Saint Joe on the School Bus’ which, according to the sleeve, ‘is about being picked on’. However, I think it speaks for itself and wonder why... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful