Liner
Notes
Jonathan Widran 's liner notes for Keep Your Dreams
Fifteen years after settling in to pursue his musical dreams in The Big Apple, Joseph Diamond still identifies with the trademark claim that inspired the title of his critically acclaimed 2000 debut album Not Your Typical New Yorker.
Don’t get him wrong--the multi-faceted pianist, composer and producer loves the energy and vibrancy of the city, but he’s a friendly, openhearted cat with no walls around him in a world where everyone seems like a very guarded, hard nut to crack. Personality differences aside, however, Manhattan’s proven a powerful influence on Joseph’s music as he’s negotiated the tightrope of establishing himself as an independent jazz artist.
The eclectic, highly melodic and rhythmic style that has won over the hearts of thousands of fans these past years is heavily influenced by all that incredible, jumpin’ and joyful Latin jazz and salsa music he hears around town, in addition to R&B, traditional “straightahead” and smooth jazz. They loved 2002’s tropical flavored Island Garden—which was also inspired by Joseph’s many travels to the Caribbean and Latin America—as much as the first, and they’ve been eagerly clamoring for his long awaited latest batch of excitement, Keep Your Dreams.
Building upon the musical vibes and momentum of the first two projects, Keep Your Dreamsis a much-needed shout of “never give up, never give in” encouragement to people struggling towards their goals, musical and otherwise. The 12-track collection incorporates many unique moods and textures, capturing the ongoing energy and intensity of the artist at his creative peak. Working once again with his longtime rhythm section of bassist Leo Traversa (Tania Maria, Astrud Gilberto) and drummer Vince Cherico (Ray Barretto, Paquito D’Rivera) and top NYC musicians Bruce Williamson (alto and soprano sax), Diego Lopez (congas, bongo, guiro), Mala Waldron (vocals), Cecilia Tenconi (flute, alto flute), Kenny Rampton (flugelhorn) and Nancy Assis and Gilad (percussion), Diamond takes a listener on fascinating journey that winks back at where he’s been while boldly taking steps towards the limitless future of contemporary jazz. The basic rhythm section tracks were recorded live at Knoop Studios while the later overdubs were done at NYC’s Clinton Studios.
Keep Your Dreams includes three tracks that echo back to popular songs on Joseph’s first two projects: the sizzling, percussive, sax and keyboard driven opener “Montoya Mambo II” (a variation on Island Garden’s “Montoya Mambo”); the highly danceable Latin piano and flute romp “Not Your Typical New Yorker II” (which draws inspiration from the original “Not Your Typical New Yorker”); and the sensual Latin soul number “There Goes One More” (a twist on the vibe of “There Goes Another One” from Island Garden). Other highlights are “Shady Maiden,” composed as a tribute to Herbie Hancock, one of Joseph’s piano heroes (maybe he’ll get to McCoy Tyner, Joe Sample, and Oscar Peterson next time!); the ethereal, introspective “Think About It”; and a balmy and romantic take on The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night era classic that Joseph titles “Just To Dance With You.” Joseph puts his usual optimistic and romantic spirit aside for one of Keep Your Dreams’ most compelling tracks, the soundscape heavy avant-garde piece “Iwreck,” which reflects his feelings about the Iraq war.
Beyond showcasing Joseph’s ability to get the listener’s toes tapping, voice humming, heart soaring and mind thinking, Keep Your Dreamsis a true celebration of independent music making in the 2000s. The songs are melodically accessible, but stretch out as far as his bright imagination allows, and he taps into a range of emotions that most jazz artists would love to if only they weren’t held captive to market forces. Being an indie artist isn’t an easy road but he has made it a joy for all of us by following his heart and listening to it as it tells him: Keep Your Dreams.
Family Addendum
Joseph died suddenly and unexpectedly on August 28, 2008. He was putting the finishing touches on this album. A few weeks before Joseph's death, he played Requiem for his brother Jay and nephew, Jesse. They both requested that this track be included on Keep Your Dreams. At the time, no one knew how prophetic this would be. This introspective ballad reminds us that Keep Your Dreams completes a trilogy of Joseph's recorded performances. Keep listening to the rest of these lively, upbeat compositions to quickly realize that while Joseph is gone, he lives through his music and will always be with us.
Ernie Rideout's liner notes for Island Garden
On his previous solo recording, Joseph Diamond described himself to the world in the album’s title as Not Your Typical New Yorker. The airtight Latin-informed jazz on that disc certainly supported his claim; how many New Yorkers do you know who can make a piano sing and groove at the same time, and make you want to listen all night?
What Joseph gets into on Island Garden leads me to suggest that very little is typical about this amazing pianist and composer. For starters, these aren’t your typical Latin tunes. Just about any decent player can create an album of rhythmic, listenable music that appeals to the background jazz set. But Joseph takes a path much less traveled, which results in a much more rewarding experience for you, the listener. Joseph hasn’t just thrown some montunos together and played pretty melodies over them for this disc. He’s written a collection of great compositions: Tunes with direction, rhythmic vitality, humor, harmonic twists and turns, and most importantly, variety. They get more interesting each time you hear them.
It’s rare that a single album will draw from such diverse Latin traditions without sounding contrived. Joseph makes it sound like the real deal because he’s the real deal himself. A fortuitous set of circumstances led him to spend years traveling the Caribbean basin, absorbing the rhythms, phrasing, and sensibilities of dozens of music cultures and traditions as he gigged from island to island. The mambos, merengues, guaguancos, sons, and calypsos underlying the tunes on this album sound as though they’re fresh off the boat. Of course, great tunes aren’t anything without great playing - another area in which Joseph excels. His solos are masterful but not overbearing, inventive without losing their focus. His montunos are monstrous. He’ll tear your head off one moment, then turn around and infect your heart with an unforgettable phrase. He makes you wonder what he’s going to do next.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s brought in a stellar array of colleagues to support him, many of whom are luminaries in their own right in the Latin jazz scene, and who count themselves as members of Joseph’s live band when they’re in town. Bassist Leo Traversa is so deep in the pocket it’s ridiculous, whether he’s playing fretted or fretless electric. Vince Cherico is the heartbeat of the band on drums, with a host of percussionists laying down the perfect parts for each tune. Joseph knows what to do with a great melody, and he’s handed several of his off to players equal to the task, such as Rob Thomas on violin, Eddy Zerveignon and Bruce Williamson on flute, Marshall Sealy on French horn, Adam Niewood on tenor sax, and Guido Gonzalez on flugelhorn. The result is a collection of tunes that are orchestrated to perfection, with just the right voice singing to you at every turn, invigorating, inspiring, and intriguing you. Your biggest challenges will be to sit still while you listen, and to wait to see what Joseph Diamond does next.
Maria von Dickersohn's original liner notes for Not Your Typical New Yorker (before required paring down to fit the CD booklet)
In 1995 the Grammys finally recognized the existence of Latin Jazz as a genre that just wasn't going away. Thank goodness for that because on his debut album Not Your Typical New Yorker, Joseph Diamond demonstrates a talent worthy of the coveted prize. Wait'll you hear the 11 formidable tracks Joseph has written for your pleasure.
One day out of the blue I received a voicemail from a man who said he was Joseph Diamond. In all honesty, I thought, "who is this guy?; another pianist trying to make it in an ocean already overflowing with starving musicians?" Let's face it, as the saying goes: if I had a dollar for every cassette or CD I've gotten from musicians aspiring to be acclaimed, I'd be rich. But I listened to the message and out of sheer curiosity I returned his call because you never know. Shortly thereafter I got the demo. My radio show is over at 1 a.m. so getting home means hanging out in front of my computer until 3 or 4 in the morning. This particular morning I sat down to read my email and that's when I threw Joseph Diamond's music into the CD-ROM and boy, was I blown away. Can't wait for you to hear it. It's important for you to know that I had just spent the last 7 hours listening to music. Two hours of my commute in the car to and from home. Five of those hours at CD 101.9 doing my DJ thing. So I was pretty saturated by the time Joseph Diamond strutted his mighty stuff via my computer. I sat straight up in my chair as I heard his percussive piano grab me on track 1. Here he was Joseph Diamond, the man from Liberty, New York without an ounce of Latin blood in his veins playing the music I love with such verve.
But how could Joseph Diamond not have a true gem for the airwaves? He went out and got the best. Not only does he ring all your bells, he does it in the greatest company. Check this out: he's got impeccable drummer Vince Cherico who has quickly become one of the most "in demand" drummers on the Latin Jazz scene. Vince currently performs with Grammy Nominee Ray Barretto and New World Spirit. He also performs on Ray Vega's self titled CD on the Concord Jazz label. He's recently toured with The Caribbean Jazz Project, which includes Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Samuels, and Andy Narell. He has also performed with Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Vince currently holds a teaching position at the Drummer's Collective and is endorsed by Zildjian Cymbals, Latin Percussion, and Vic Firth Sticks so it's no surprise that Joseph Diamond would tell Vince what he wanted and Vince would nail it. On top of that Vince recommended Leo Traversa for the bass work. Leo has worked with New York Voices and a host of other prolific artists so Leo was also able to take off with Joseph Diamond's vision. When it came time to overdub the congas and bongoes Pocholo Segundo and Rudy Romero were the ones to fill the bill, and then to round out the group Joe brought in Emedín Rivera to play percussion. Emedín has played with just about everybody and he brought to the session tons of stuff along with his vivid imagination. Drew Francis shows his mastery on flute, sax and synths. Add Dean Bailin as engineer for the sessions and the mixes and Sharon Thorne who along with Drew Francis came up with the synth parts and what you get is a pristine culmination of a lifetime of work at what Joe Diamond loves the most, his music.
There's no doubt that the talents of Joseph Diamond are dripping, oozing out from this introductory album. So for those of you who listen to Joseph's music, your hearts will fill with the joy that only comes to the true Latin Jazz lover who recognizes quality. And for those of you who don't take the time to drink in Joseph Diamond's music, you don't know what you're missing but one thing's for sure, if you do, Joseph Diamond will make a believer out of you. He'll never let you go. These 11 tracks are his original compositions that sizzle, mesmerize and dazzle but most of all Joseph Diamond's music is a must-have for your collection. It sure is in mine. And now ladies and gentlemen, join me in a round of applause for Joe Diamond and Not Your Typical New Yorker.
Maria von Dickersohn
CD101.9