From 1993–2000, Jeff Greinke's collaborative project LAND included such imaginative and accomplished instrumentalists as Greinke (keyboards, voice, composer), Fred Chalenor (bass, stick), Lesli Dalaba (trumpet), Greg Gilmore (percussion), Bill Moyer (percussion), Ed Pias (percussion), Dennis Rea (guitar), Bill Rieflin (drums), and George Soler (stick). The various incarnations of the group skillfully interwove electronic music, jazz, progressive rock, and world music influences to create an absorbing blend of composition and improvisation that was both strikingly modern and primordial. LAND earned critical acclaim for its live performances (including a 1996 tour of China, Hong Kong, and Macau) and its three CDs on the Extreme, Periplum, and First World labels.
Reviews of LAND's third CD, Road Movies, on the First World label:
Named one of the Top Ten releases of 2001 by Pulse! (Instrumental/Ambient) and the Seattle Weekly (Jazz).
(Four stars) "Composed of some Seattle-based space music renegades, LAND, in its second [sic] album, Road Movies, maneuvers beyond its post-Miles Davis, techno-psychedelia into more structured, but no less inventive terrain of electro-improvisations. Trumpeter Lesli Dalaba in particular avoids the Davis phrasing and muted sonorities that mark most trumpeters working techno-jazz improvisations, including good ones like Tim Hagans and Toshinori Kondo. A licensed acupuncturist, Dalaba brings needle-point precision to her playing with a muscular tone redolent of Freddie Hubbard. Land is centered by ambient explorer Jeff Greinke. Usually found in a more serene, Eno-esque zone, with Land he locks in electro-grooves with drummer Bill Rieflin and the fudgy bass lines of Fred Chalenor, and decorates the angular frameworks with electronic squiggle and whorls. Guitarist Dennis Rea, whose roots go back to the space band Earthstar, brings a mix of jazz phrasing and rock tonalities that keeps Land off the ground. Compared with the droning, noodling meander of rock improvisers like Tortoise, Land's improvisations are GPS guided, negotiating intricate routes and switchback curves."
—John Diliberto, Pulse!"LAND plays across a densely contoured terrain, both bound and endless, dangerous and beautiful. This electric-acoustic quintet, led by sound creator Jeff Greinke, has built on the extended, ambient rumbles of its previous work and emerged into a more unhinged element, fired by the addition of power drummer Bill Rieflin and some especially lacerating and evocative work from guitarist Dennis Rea. Pensive caresses, urban grooves, electronic retorts, heavy breathing, and off-roading, this band moves through it all with a perfect mix of speed and discomfort."
—Seattle Weekly"Jeff Greinke's Seattle project has evolved from a small collective to a full ensemble taking on an entirely evolved format. This time out, there are smooth grooves and a forward outlook, and less esoteric method than the group's last releases. Road Movies is drummer Bill Rieflin's (ex-Ministry) first opportunity in the drum chair for this now five-piece group, which also features soloists Lesli Dalaba (trumpet) and Dennis Rea (lead guitar—also a member of Stackpole). Rea's contributions on the disc range from restrained rhythmic phrases, as on the lead track, "Tyrone," to jazzy interludes ("Rink"). "Magnesium is probably the showcase track, which shows how far this five-piece is willing to incorporate a funky vibe and a Martin, Medeski and Wood[sic] approach to gain danceable footing. Here, Dalaba expands the primary soloist role to one who may provide a muted or processed tone not unlike Miles Davis or Mark Isham's inspired tributes. Bassist Fred Chalenor is a veteran player from Caveman Hughscore and work with Wayne Horvitz among many other notable projects. His linear low end keeps the glue in place throughout the disc, especially on "Winnebago Weekend." Ambient keyboardist Jeff Greinke has expanded his contribution beyond one of foundation and sound map flourishes, to that of primary composer (evident especially on "Frolic"). The group fleshes out his muse and creates rhythmic foundation, which could run on automatic seemingly for hours. Overall, Road Movies is a modern take on Miles with more ambient soundscapes than you can shake a stick at; and that's a very good thing."
—Jeff Melton, Exposé"Free-flowing abstract jazz grooves ... The pieces have an odd, feverish intensity about them; the loose, soulful trumpet of Lesli Dalaba contributes an off-kilter, psycho edge ... Bill Rieflin's solid drumbeats provide a consistency that offsets some of the more free-form instrumentation. Greinke's sounds don't strike you right away. For the most part, they linger in behind the instruments, revealing themselves after repeated listens. The subtle textures and atmospheres provide more of a setting for the music rather than taking center stage. LAND is verytight, but at the same time easygoing and experimental."
—Outburn
Reviews of LAND's second CD, Archipelago, on Periplum Records:
"This album makes it plain that improvisation and innovation are in good health in Seattle. LAND, on its second album, continues to construct transporting, otherworldly terrains of rich melody, washes of acoustic and electric sound, and pulsing and jangling rhythm. Add to that fine improv by all band members.
"...Lesli Dalaba's exquisite trumpet reenters, high-toned, mournful, disembodied. The trumpet passage... is extraordinarily moving, disarmingly, wrenchingly raw. Beautiful. Greinke has become highly skilled at mining his keyboard for distinctive ore, and he has a subtle sense of drama. That makes Rea the ideal guitarist for this band. His quiet understatement, too, is savvy and tricky. Listen closely, and it's clear he has much to say. But there's no guitar demigod crap.
"...far more striking is the band's sense of judiciousness. That's heard in the shape and pacing of pieces. It's also apparent that deft choices about sonic/emotional impact have directed the players to place acoustic instruments versus electronic in lead roles.... LAND compares well with any of [Bill Laswell/Jon Hassell/Krakatau's] projects."
—Earshot Jazz
Reviews of LAND's first CD, LAND, on Extreme Records:
"LAND breaks barriers on the obstacle course of East-meets-West fusion... exotic and liquid quicksilver improvisation... a revisioning of Fourth World shibboleths upon which found sounds are cleverly flourished."
—The Wire (UK)"To listen to LAND is to imagine what the product of a collaboration between Brian Eno and Miles Davis would have sounded like. Muted trumpets blend eloquently with mysterious washes of keyboard and world rhythms. LAND is a strangely beautiful and haunting recording that hopefully will garner a lot of attention for composer/keyboardist Jeff Greinke, who should soon easily be included among the ranks of Eno, Jon Hassell, and Harold Budd. This is a truly brilliant record not to be missed by those unafraid to hear new directions in jazz and experimental music."
—Stained Pages (Toronto)"LAND demonstrate themselves to be a top-rate group with a keen ear for layers of diverse musics.... The group has a focus which encompasses many genres, often simultaneously."
—Detroit Metro Times"Intriguing electro-acoustic music... LAND works because it takes chances -- smart experimental music that avoids intellectual trappings, possessing a strong sense of identity and cohesiveness."
—Alternative Press"LAND is imbued with a unique essence.... With musicians from diverse backgrounds and associations, LAND manages to distill the world by conveying jungles, deserts, mountain peaks, and machinery."
—5/4 Magazine"Greinke is known worldwide as an ambient composer who texturizes sounds into deeply evocative pieces that leave the listener wrapped in memories. Dalaba plays beautifully without grandstanding, not an easy task for a trumpeter. Guitarist Rea adds drama and spirit, and Pias, who has studied the traditional drumming of Africa, Java, and India, brings a more subtle and earthy dimension to the group."
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer"The music LAND creates is at once dreamily vaporous and soulfully rhythmic.... Greinke and band members use sounds to evoke a sense of place."
—Seattle Times"A sound environment that is compelling throughout... rhythmic pulsations and acoustic interludes are combined to great effect. LAND's debut is well worth the investment."
—Earshot Jazz"Exotic, trans-global soundscapes... sounds like Spike Jones meets John Cage at a rave party."
—LAND feature on the nationally syndicated radio program "Echoes".
Dennis Rea | Axolotl | Stackpole | Writing | Live at the Forbidden City
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