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Still Casual

by Walter Smith III

  • Record/Vinyl

    High quality, 180 gram, 12" 2x Gatefold LP (3 sides of music - A, B, C, + etched D side with Whirlwind logo mark) - comes with download code containing the digital album in multiple formats

    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $39 USD or more 

     

about

PERSONNEL

Walter Smith III - tenor saxophone
Taylor Eigsti - piano
Matthew Stevens - guitar
Harish Raghavan - bass
Kendrick Scott - drums
Ambrose Akinmusire - trumpet

ALBUM CREDITS

Originally released on September 9, 2014
Recording Engineer - Chris Allen
Produced by Chris dunn
Mixed by Seth Presant
Mastered by Paul Blakemore
LP Mastering by Tyler McDiarmid
Original photographs / design by Devin Dehaven, Tony Minter
LP Graphic Design - Monika S. Jakubowska
Executive producer for Whirlwind Recordings - Michael Janisch

credits

released July 23, 2021

ABOUT THE ALBUM

When Walter Smith III released his fourth album Still Casual in 2014, people listened, and the album was heralded as one of the top releases of the year. Now, fans of the saxophonist and composer can experience the tenorist’s wide-ranging release in a fresh new format on Vinyl *for the first time* on this special 2xLP, 180 gram limited edition printing in gatefold artwork.

Smith’s discography is pleasingly joined-up. As In Common 2 follows In Common, Still Casual references his 2006 solo debut Casually Introducing. The title might be another one of Smith’s trademark riffs, but the album is as committed to exploration as any other. Over the course of ten original tracks, Smith covers a swathe of musical and emotional ground.

The players assembled for Still Casual speak volumes for the quality of Smith’s company. Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire joins Smith for explosive soloing on ‘Fing Fast’ and ‘Something New’. In Common co-convenor Matthew Stevens provides reflective harmonic support and muted solo colours alongside the understated backings of Taylor Eigsti. Together, Harish Raghavan and Kendrick Scott provide moments of tension and intrigue from the backline, adding suitable punch to the opener ‘Foretold You’.

Chronologically, the album precedes the In Common projects, and comes right as Smith hits his stride as a composer and arranger. From the elaborate (‘About 360’, ‘Processional’) to the personal (‘Greene’ is dedicated to saxophonist Jimmy Greene, whose daughter was killed in the Sandy Hook school shootings in 2012), Smith shines across fast-flowing vernacular and reflective, tender tones. Still Casual showcases a group stretching themselves in a way that never seems hurried, delving into a powerful collective energy to test their limits instead.

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Walter Smith III Los Angeles, California

The Whirlwind Artist Page for saxophonist, composer, arranger producer and renowned educator Walter Smith III.

"Walter Smith III has an unmistakably supple tone that is nevertheless grounded in blues... Thrilling."
★★★★★ Fono Forum
... more

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