The Unity Sessions

by Pat Metheny

Overview

In 2012, guitarist Pat Metheny won a Grammy for his album Unity Band. That album featured his then newly formed group featuring saxophonist Chris Potter, bassist Ben Williams, and drummer Antonio Sanchez. A year later, the Unity Group returned with Kin <-->, which found Metheny expanding the ensemble to include multi-instrumentalist Giulio Carmassi. Arriving in 2016, The Unity Sessions showcases that expanded version of the Unity Group live in a gorgeously produced one-off performance at New York's Black Box Theatre on the heels of their 2014 tour. Hoping to capture the synergy and collective dynamic forged over the yearlong tour, Metheny had the Unity Group set up at the Black Box just as they would for a live show. He then had the concert recorded and filmed, resulting in a unique document that is both studio recording and live performance. Here, we get cuts off both Unity Band and Kin <-->, as well as songs culled from Metheny's lengthy career. These run the gamut from acoustic classical pieces ("Adagia") to moody, groove-oriented modal fusion cuts ("Roofdogs") to atmospheric world music-inflected numbers ("Come and See") and more. Elsewhere, the ensemble summons a palpable warmth on the ruminative ballad "This Belongs to You," combines John Coltrane-esque spirituality and African rhythms on "On Day One," and dives headlong into the expansive flamenco-steeped anthem "Rise Up." They even make room for a sprightly duo version of the jazz standard "Cherokee," featuring lively interplay between Metheny and Potter. Ultimately, while Metheny is the undisputed leader here, it's the thoughtful interplay of all the Unity Group's members that makes these sessions so involving. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	05/06/2016
Label:	Metheny Group / Nonesuch
UPC:	0075597946888

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Adagia
2. Sign of the Season
3. This Belongs to You
4. Roofdogs
5. Cherokee
6. Genealogy
7. On Day One
8. Medley

Disc 2

9. Come and See
10. Police People
11. Two Folk Songs (#1)
12. Born
13. Kin
14. Rise Up
15. Go Get It

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pat Metheny   Primary Artist,Vocals,Orchestra,Electronics,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Synthesizer)
Chris Potter   Flute,Guitar,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano),Clarinet (Bass)
Giulio Carmassi   Piano,Vocals,Flugelhorn,Synthesizer
Ben Williams   Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)
Matthew Beighley   Director
Antonio Sanchez   Cajon,Drums

Technical Credits

Robbie Stauder   Photography Director
Steve Rodby   Editing,Producer
Pat Metheny   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Liner Notes,Executive Producer
David Oakes   Engineer
Pete Karam   Mixing,Engineer
Ornette Coleman   Composer
Carolyn Chrzan   Guitar Technician
David Sholemson   Associate Producer
Ted Kurland   Executive Producer
Mark Janowitz   Lighting,Production Design
Kyle Joyce   Production Assistant
Austin Stillwell   Monitors,Technician
Benjamin Silverstein   Lighting Director
Mike Drucker   Assistant
Matthew Fleischmann   Operation
Teo Stoll   Drum Technician
Reece Mussman   Production Assistant
Ted Jensen   Mastering
Ray Noble   Composer