Customer Reviews
Stella jazz performances - By: S J Buck, 29 Oct 2007 
There isn't much more to say over & above what the previous reviewer said. This is a fabulous album & Benjamin Herman (who I had never heard of) is a great modern saxophone player. This was recorded live in the studio & there are no overdubs so everything you hear on this recording was done, if not the first take, certainly by the second or third.
The very catchy 'Psychoville' (written by Herman) gets the album off to a great start. A Monkish bopish piece. Herman takes the first shortish solo, but what a solo, using bent notes, distortions & doubletime sections I was immediately struck by the quality of the mans playing. My other favourite track is another Herman composition, the swinging 'Prozac' (interesting title!) where the musicians get a chance to swing & stretch out a bit. Bliss.
Recorded in November 2005 with Bart van Lier on Trombone & the great Stan Tracey on Piano this is an album that will improve with every listen. Buy it now before it gets deleted.....
The London Session - A great session. - By: J. D. Naylor, 02 Apr 2007 
Benjamin Herman first came to my attention when i saw him play with Stan Tracey last year(2006) at the Pizza Express jazz club & with his fleet fingered energetic style of playing pretty much stole the show.This c.d captures much of his raw edged live performance & is free from the gloss of a lot of studio recordings - so what you hear is reallly how Herman sounds live. With a stellar rhythm section including Stan & clarke Tracey he reallly is in good company here.
The cd contains mostly standards with Herman outstanding on "Mood Indigo" with an exciting solo with lots of double time phrases & a very different & un-romantic sounding version of "Love for Sale" in a sax,base,drums trio format."Tin tin Deo" gets a faithfull reworking & he also contributes three of his own originals of which "Psychoville" is the pick which is a nice lively boppish piece & not as the title may otherwise suggest.
To see him live is a real treat but if not then just grab yourself a copy of this c.d.
Also see my review for one of Herman's other cd's "Cafe Alto"
