CIMP 308 - to purchase click on this *

Faith in a Seed is really a suite where the titles read as a poem.  It expresses both the hopes and dreams that a seed holds for its sower.  The seed and its life cycle is a metaphor for life, a dream, or aspiration. This album begins with the farmer having faith in his new seed and ends with the blossoming tree; 'Bright Leaves Yellow and Green' and a happy farmer; 'With a Pocket Full of Sundrops'.  This had been James' scheduled ending but, producer Bob Rusch asked for one more and James obliged with 'Walking With Angels' which he dedicates to the late pianist Sir Roland Hanna, with whom he toured.  For this session, James used both old compositions written more than fifteen years ago, ('All the Love Shining On' and 'Walking With Angels') and new compositions.  One may conclude that this album is also James Finn's creative seed that he had planted with hopes of blossoming into a fruitful journey.

Compositions and arrangements by James Finn (Voluble Horn Music, ASCAP)

Recorded at the Spirit Room, Rosie, NY on March 16th & 17th, 2004

Produced by: Robert D. Rusch
Recording Engineer: Marc D. Rusch                                                 
Cover Art: 'Life', by Kara D. Rusch
Typsetting: Hillary J. Rusch
Hospitality: Susan Rusch

Spirit Room Series Vol. 186

 Press Reviews for Faith in a Seed

"One of music's signal pleasures is the unexpected arrival of a performer whose sound and conception are so fully formed, you can't but ponder under what barrel they've previously been hidden."

- Steve Smith, Time Out Magazine New York, October 21, 2004, Faith in a Seed

"James Finn is one ot the most fascinating voices in America today."

- Phillipe Elhem, Crescendo Magazine, Belgium, Faith in a Seed

"It'd be safe to say that the story of 2004 in creative improvised music is James Finn's arrival as a leader. Both Opening the Gates, his debut, and now Faith in a Seed, his sophomore follow-up, expose the sound of a relatively unheard musician suddenly exploding onto the scene, fully formed, with a voice both resonant of the past yet entirely of his own—everything that makes this music as good as it gets."

- Matthew Sumera, One Final Note, Faith in a Seed

"He's an eloquent- almost hypnotic- improviser...Finn's music works form the inside out, the climaxes coming for the listener with the force of an internal revelation.  Faith in a Seed is music in search of the sublime, gorgeous, and frightening at the same time.  This is the second disc of Finn's I've heard and still I get a 'Where did this guy come from?' buzz from it: how did a player this good stay unknown for so long?"

- Nate Dorward, Cadence Magazine - March 2005, Faith in a Seed

"...a genuinely arresting talent."

- Stuart Broomer, Coda Magazine, Opening the Gates and Faith in a Seed

"From the very first note the listener is drawn into Finn’s world – and it's well worth the visit."

- Stephen Griffith, Paris Transatlantic - February 2005, Faith in a Seed

"Who will be the first program planner to have the good idea of inviting James Finn to come to play in France?"

- Luc Bouquet, Jazz Break - France, Faith in a Seed

"One does not know whether to laugh or cry, but listeners may react as extremely as the music does.  Jazz lovers may need assistance to soothe the singe of this ferocious musical journey."

- Gregory J. Robb, Jazz Improv Magazine, Faith in a Seed

"Finn makes another strong statement as a serious and controlled fireball who continues to make an indelible mark."

- Steven Loewy, All Music Guide, Faith in a Seed

“This is a solid, free-jazz sax trio date with a truly organic vibe at the center, everyone listening closely and building towards some great conclusions ...this is one truly fine delicacy.”

- Bruce Gallanter, The Downtown Music Gallery, August 2004, Faith in a Seed

"Partisans of free jazz will be happy to have Finn on the scene and will be eagerly looking to him for more."

- Michael Holman, All About Jazz, Faith in a Seed

"This year the Cadence/North Country cause-celebre is saxophonist James Finn."

- Derek Taylor, Dusted, Features 2004, Faith in a Seed

"Finn indeed has the charisma to blend his music with the kind of spirituality that recalls the soul uplift and blast-off of late period Coltrane.  Even in it's most extreme moments, even when Finn’s tenor soars towards it’s high end, the sound is far from heard as noisy anarchy, but impresses in its fullness of feeling and meditation."   

- Vangelis Aragiannis, Apopsy, March 2005, Greece, Faith in a Seed   http://www.apopsy.gr/t_141/music.htm

"Four Stars!"

- Vittorio Lo Conte, AAJ, Italy, Faith in a Seed

"It is my hope that James Finn will begin to be heard."

- Bob Rusch, CIMP, Producer's Notes for Faith in a Seed  

James Finn Music
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