In the Zone

All Music Guide 4 stars
Review    by Ken Dryden
Mike Freeman and Zona Vibe is a top notch Latin jazz quintet that often sounds like
a bigger band. The leader doubles on vibes and marimba, utilizing a four mallet
technique to achieve a fuller sound on his instruments, which he often uses together.
Guitarist Bruce Saunders is the other major soloist, though Freeman breaks with the
Latin Jazz tradition of Cal Tjader and Tito Puente by omitting a keyboard, resulting
in greater focus on his phenomenal chops. Seven of the nine songs are Freeman
originals, highlighted by his sassy salsa "Cha Cha Mama," the turbulent "Red Thunder"
and the engaging chant-like "Afriman." Bassist Ricardo Rodriguez, percussionist Harry
Adorno and conga player Little Johnny Rivero supply a solid foundation for the quintet's
tasty Latin Jazz.

JazzReview.com:
This group known as Mike Freeman and ZonaVibe is a remarkable tour de force as a
jazz group, and with Mike Freeman's leadership and compositions places them in a
unique placement as one of the finest Latin sounds in contemporary jazz.  Many in the
jazz audience will recognize the group members immediately and their past contributions
to jazz music.

As a vibesman, Mike Freeman is one of the best currently living and performing.  His
style and talent make for interesting listening and pleasurable entertainment. There are
nine songs on the CD, and the collection is superb.

Among the songs are "Mr. 2000," "There Ya Go," "Cha Cha Mama," "Red Thunder,"
"The Fallen," "Todos Vuelven," "Afriman," "Horse's Run," and "A Las Seis." Each song
is a jazz gem! Every song in this collection is an eye-opener!  Lively, compact, agreeable
explorations of an inventive nature -- this best defines the collection as a whole.  The solo
work is superb, and the group sound is extraordinary in scope! There is never a dull
moment with this CD collection.

If you are looking for a fine, inventive vibraphonist and an exciting jazz group, give a
listen to Mike Freeman and his ZonaVibe.  These musicians are topnotch, professional,
and a true enjoyment to listen to.  They have a great sound and share it with the audience
in a wonderful manner.

Give them a listen, you won't regret it!  Buy a copy for a friend, too!  Highly recommended.
Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

Descarga.com Editor's Pick:
Mike Freeman & Zona Vibe In The Zone
CD (VOF 2007), Released 2007;
Vibe and marimba player Mike Freeman's intrumental ensemble Zona Vibe interprets
these mostly all original compositions with a sultry sabor that intoxicates. Their sound
seems to gently parachute down ...and melt in your ears. With a wonderfully seasoned
Latin rhythm section that features Little Johnny Rivero on congas, bassist Ricardo
Rodriguez, and timbalero Harry Adorno. Bruce Saunder's guitarwork delivers added
detail and color to the work. A special treat is Freeman's rendition of the Jimmy
Sabater / Joe Cuba classic "A Las Seis." After listening to In The Zone I heard myself
saying "Damn, what a beauty." Enough said.
Highly Recommended.

Latinjazz Corner Spotlight: In The Zone, Mike Freeman ZonaVibe

The Spotlight Series highlights upcoming Latin Jazz musicians that have yet to reach
national recognition. Many of these musicians thrive in local scenes and some tour in
support of releases. All these musicians contribute greatly to the overall Latin Jazz scene,
and they deserve our “spotlighted” attention.

While some elements of a genre are easily altered, instrumentation remains one area
that never evolves easily. While variations on aesthetic approaches take some analysis
to pick out, the tone of the instruments is the first things that hit our ears. We become
accustomed to a certain sound in a style, and when musicians insert different instruments,
we notice immediately. Stylistically unusual instruments require different playing
techniques, forcing musicians to perform the music with a slightly different approach.
Altering instrumentation inspires musicians to compose differently, moving instruments
into different musical functions. Musicians may utilize the same set of aesthetics, but
performing with an altered instrumentation requires careful thought and deliberation.
Mike Freeman’s ZonaVibe tackles an altered instrumentation on In The Zone with a
solid set of traditional Latin Jazz that eliminates the piano and substitutes vibraphone,
marimba, and guitar.

Teaming Vibes and Guitar Into Strong Arrangements
Some tracks feature a combination of vibes and guitar, which compliment each other
through well-conceived arrangements. Guitarist Bruce Saunders maintains a rhythmic
comping pattern behind Freeman’s melody on the bomba “Mr. 2000″ before the two
musicians play a harmonized bridge. Freeman’s solo glides through the chord progression
smoothly, eventually building into a rhythmic climax. Saunders mixes syncopated
rhythmic figures with jazz phrases while Freeman pushes the band with a strong
montuno. Saunders adopts a distorted tone to accent pieces of Freeman’s melody on
“Cha Cha Mama,” providing a bluesy underpinning to the song. Freeman switches
between blues based ideas and long, flowing jazz lines, over a somewhat thin texture.
Saunders attacks his improvisation with an edgy sound, playing with rock energy
while executing jazz phrases. An extended percussion break opens “Afriman,”
which features Freeman and Saunders playing intertwining melodic lines over a 6/8
rhythm. Freeman displays a more rhythmic sound to his improvisation, mixing static
ideas with longer phrases. Saunders revives his distorted sound for his solo, displaying
chops that creep closer to rock than jazz. After a return to the melody, Freeman
establishes a montuno that serves as the foundation for a stirring solo from conguero
Johnny Rivero. A long introduction that combines rhythmic ostinatos and band hits
leads “Red Thunder” into an energetic melody played by Freeman.
The band moves into high gear as Freeman jumps into an intensive solo that
combines fast runs and repeated rhythmic ideas. Saunders immediately contrasts
Freeman with an understated approach that focuses upon melodic development.
The group revisits the melody before playing a vamp for short solos from Rivero
and timbalero Harry Adorno. Each piece benefits from thoughtful construction and
sensitive playing from Freeman and Saunders.

A Rich Texture Through Multiple Mallets
Other tracks emphasize the dual sound of Freeman’s vibes and marimba to shape the
arrangements. The rhythm section accents strong points in Freeman’s introduction on
“Todos Vuelvan,” leading into an elegant melody over a rumba guaguanco. Dramatic
percussion breaks lead into a harmonized interlude between vibes and marimba, until
Freeman exposes his rhythmic mastery on a marimba solo. The vibes establish a
montuno as Rivero demonstrates his knowledge of the conga vocabulary, ending the
song on a strong dynamic. Rivero and Adorno deliver a strong break to open
“There Ya Go,” leading into an upbeat melody on vibes. Freeman navigates the
changes on marimba with bebop virtuosity and percussive intensity. The group
emphasizes a series of band hits, leaving space for strong solo fills from Adorno
and Rivero that lead into a vibraphone solo. Freeman grounds “Horse’s Run” with a
marimba montuno that ties firmly into the vibraphone melody. Adorno pushes
Freeman’s vibraphone solo with funky snare drum hits, encouraging intensive
runs and rhythmic displacements. A funky breakdown leads back to the melody
and then a montuno for a creative exchange between Rivero and Adorno. An
up-beat montuno on the vibes open “A Las Seis,” a highly arranged piece that
alternates between a variety of melodic sections. After a short breakdown, the
piece opens up into a descarga that allows Freeman to explore a variety of different
ideas. Adorno attacks his solo with ferocious intensity, leading the song back to
the breakdown to end. These songs serve as strong features for Freeman, whose
prowess on both vibes and marimba lends to a richly crafted sound.

Standing as a Latin Jazz Gem
Freeman sidesteps the traditional Latin Jazz instrumentation on In The Zone, but
builds upon the strengths of his band to deliver a solid Latin Jazz sound. His
songwriting combines traditional Latin Jazz with creative arrangements that
emphasize the rich tone of his mallets as well as the instrument’s percussive
nature. His insight into writing for multiple mallet instruments helps build a
full bodied sound on each track. Saunders becomes an essential partner in
Freeman’s vision, providing a strong voice in the arrangements, sensitive
accompaniment, and tasteful solos. The rhythm section provides solid support,
unobtrusively swinging through a variety of Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican
rhythms. Freeman’s strength as a soloist carries the album, filling each song
with creative explorations of the chord changes. While the instrumental format
may buck instrumental tradition, the strong songwriting, thoughtful arranging, and
professional performances let In The Zone stand on its own as an intoxicating
Latin Jazz gem.

Review by Chip Boaz

Wiggle Stomp

Four Stars Allmusicguide.com

“Freeman's undertaking has flair for melodic creativity, colorful instrumentation,
and rhythmic bounce which when combined with the South of the Border rhythms,
make this an attractive addition to the collection.” Dave Nathan, Allaboutjazz.com

“Wiggle Stomp a refreshing new feel with no pretentions ... it delivered mightily”.
Butch Berman, Jazz newsletter Berman Music Foundation

Mike Freeman is “obsessed with the wide variety of rhythms and percussion techniques
common to all forms of Latin music, and his work here clearly reflects that fascination.”
Jazztimes

(Radio programmers)

“It's a fine effort showing plenty of jazz diversity, chops, invention, spirit, taste and soul,
well worthy of wider recognition. - Michael G. Nastos WEMU-FM Detroit, MI

“It sounds like a keeper!  I can always use a decent vibe project and yours is definitely all
that and more! - Kevin O'Connor KBEM Minneapolis

We’re playing it alot, “it’s a nice change of pace from everything else were getting”  -
Wally Crawford WKGC Panama City, FL

“...Lots of great stuff” - Kara Moore KSJS San Jose, CA

“...It’s a lot of fun” - Jamie Adams WUCF Orlando, FL

“Nice piece of work” - Andy O’leary KUVO Denver, CO

“We’re enjoying it” - Brad Stone KKUP San Jose, CA

“Nice cd, it will do well” - Todd Kennedy WFIT Melbourne, FL

“...It’s sweet stuff” - Linda Yohn WEMU Detroit, MI

“This is a nice cd” - Malvin Massey WUMR Memphis TN

“Mike Freeman brings a very fresh and eclectic approach to the his CD Wiggle
Stomp. ...the titles are all nutty and reflect the playful, completely original approach to the
music. The material here is diverse (and strong)...” - Luis Moreno Jazz Buffalo,
Moderator Yahoo Latinjazz group
 

Street Shuffle

Mike Freeman "... a melodic interpreter as well as a master soloist." Gavin

"The natural versatility of the vibes is exquisitely expressed by Mike Freeman... Discovering
Mike Freeman & Spellbound will be truly serendipitous for us all." MAC Report

"Everyone should enjoy this one [Street Shuffle]; it's a hot album...it's apparent that he's been
performing and woodshedding for years." The Music Independent

Freeman's vibraphone... “It floats and bops creating excitement...the best place for Street Shuffle
is in your CD player." PAS, Percussive Notes

“Freeman’s sensitive touch and flowing melodicism warrant attention.” Chuck Berg, Jazztimes

"...a smooth hynotic path filled with mesmerizing solos by Freeman." Chicago Jazz Bulletin

“... a cut above...” Cadence
 

Misc.

Mike Freeman & Spellbound "Excellent Show!" Bucknell University, PA - NACA Campus
Activities

Mike Freeman is "exceptional" and "dedicated to the highest standards of jazz improvisation."
Ralph Towner

Mike Freeman with his vibraphone and four mallets, makes a combination that is unbeatable."
O Diario, Lisbon

"Mike Freeman...vibraphone player with a high technical level and excellent melodic and
harmonic creativity." "The hypnotic power of the vibraphone was a winning atmosphere."
Diario de Noticas, Lisbon