What reviewers have said about Dan Phillips’ previous work:
"He's a surgical technician when he wants to be, paring his notes down to their molecular formulas "A Once Forested Hill" and "Void Illusion" or he opens up possibilities with some indulgent abandon."
Review of Dan Phillips Trio Sound Energy in Space allaboutjazz.com 2019
"The musicians are demonstrating their own style and sound – they don’t hesitate to take on adventurous and bright improvisations, moody and dynamic twists, passionate blowing culminations go down to peaceful, sad, light and solemn pieces. The variety of moods and expressions effects emotional, impressive and dynamic sound. It’s constantly changing."
Review of Dan Phillips Quartet "Light at Depth" Avantscena 2019
"Insidious Anthem employs a small band sound reflecting the taut arrangements of leader and electric guitarist Dan Phillips, whose skills as a writer rival his improvisational talent. Hard to label.. the small group packs a strong punch."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Insidious Anthem" New York City Jazz Record 2019
"The music on this album is filled with surprises and incredible turns., the musical language is rich expressive, vivid and incredible."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Insidious Anthem" Avantscena 2018
"The compositions begin with an intricate and complex sonic architecture or quiet, searching textures that highlight the rich palette of the Ensemble… Phillips sets the basic theme and the overall atmosphere. Later these parts mature into collective, free jazz improvisations that enjoy the full power and the soulful sound of the Ensemble."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Insidious Anthem" Salt Peanuts 2018
"Dan Phillips’ music is highly variable, constantly changing and dynamic. He masterfully puts together loud, expressive, passionate and vivacious improvisations, turbulent and free solos, subtle, peaceful and soft solos with other elements."
Review of Dan Phillips Trio "Divergent Flow" Avantscena 2018
"Overall this is highly original music, which offers superb musicality and unique sonic expression both artistic and professional to the core."
Review of Dan Phillips Trio "Divergent Flow" Polish Blog Spot 2018
"With each release Phillips’ sound continues to mature and expand. What remains unchanged is his imaginative creativity and his restless inventiveness. These and his shared musical vision with his sidemen—accomplished artists in their own rights—are what make this recording an absorbing musical treat."
Review of Dan Phillips Trio "Divergent Flow" Chicago Jazz Magazine 2018
"Chicago Edge Ensemble is an all-terrain vehicle, a quintet equally capable of negotiating the bumpity-smooth contours of swinging postbop, the banked hairpin turns of fusion-funk, the fog and ether of AACM-style intrigue and the tumultuous thicket that awaits if you gleefully careen off the road."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" Jazz Times 2017
"Phillips in particular proves why he’s the most under-appreciated electric guitarist from the Chicago area. There’s no hesitation or sense of compromise on Decaying Orbit. As the band name implies, this is jazz and improvisational material which goes to the edge, stays there, and doesn’t retreat."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" Audiophile Audition 2017
"With its palpable personality, rigorous but approachable compositions, and sure-footed sense of self, Chicago Edge Ensemble's Decaying Orbit not only pays homage to the city that Phillips loves, but also solidly places him on the map as a formidable instrumentalist and composer. It's a treat to hear him play with such a first rate band of some of Chicago - and the world's - greatest musicians."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" Broadway World 2017
"Dan Phillips leads a Quintet with a big Chicago sound and memorable compositions."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" The Wire Magazine 2017
“"Decaying Orbit” – the song and the album fulfills the of its members and furthers the legacy of its worldly leader.”
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" Something Else Reviews 2017
“Chicago jazz is the complexity of the postmodern with a predisposition for rump shaking. The Quintet rarely lowers the flame below boiling.”
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" All About Jazz 2017
“The beauty of Decaying Orbit is its broad appeal. Fans of both traditional and more adventurous jazz will find much to like here. Indeed, the Chicago Edge Ensemble does manage to succeed in representing the city’s diverse musical roots, and in a highly enjoyable fashion to boot."
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" Avant Music News 2017
“This is a fine album of interesting themes and powerful performances by the full ensemble and the soloists. Everyone draws deeply from the limitless well of the city’s musical history and creates a bold and thoughtful statement.”
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble "Decaying Orbit" jazzandbluesbloagspot.com 2017
“The Variety of moods, expressions, characters and playing techniques, masterful and organic synthesis of different musical language elements and expressive and extraordinaryimprovisong create innovative sound on this album.”
Review of Dan Phillips Trio “Divergent Flow” Avantscena 2018
“With each release Phillips’ sound continues to mature and expand. What remains unchanged is his imaginative creativity and his restless inventiveness. These and his shared musical vision with his sidemen—accomplished artists in their own rights—are what make this recording an absorbing musical treat.”
Review of Dan Phillips Trio "Divergent Flow" Chicago Jazz Magazine 2018
“… the improvised pieces are easily mistaken for thoroughly composed music. The sound is coherent, coordinated and is what we might dub Chicago organic. …”
Allaboutjazz review of Converging Tributaries” 2017
“… Much in that way a storm cloud has no definite borders or concrete shape, yet possesses a presence that implies depth (and more), the quartet of guitarist Dan Phillips, trombonist Jeb Bishop, double bassist Krzysztof Pabian and drummer Timothy Daisy rain down with plenty of free jazz improvisation, but by coalescing into the occasional groove, they provide a sense of focus and direction to music that doesn’t always move that way…”
“Bird is the Worm review of Converging Tributaries” 2017
“… Phillips and company play with confidence. None are in a hurry to achieve any notable goal other than to add their own contributions to those of the rest of the group. Thus move seamlessly between order and chaos, with varying tone and dynamics. …”
Allaboutjazz review of Converging Tributaries” 2017
“… Chicago Edge Ensemble is an all-terrain vehicle, a quintet equally capable of negotiating the bumpity-smooth contours of swinging postbop, the banked hairpin turns of fusion-funk, the fog and ether of AACM-style intrigue and the tumultuous thicket that awaits if you gleefully careen off the road. …”
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble Decaying Orbit Jazz Times 2017
“… Phillips in particular proves why he’s the most under-appreciated electric guitarist from the Chicago area. There’s no hesitation or sense of compromise on Decaying Orbit. As the band name implies, this is jazz and improvisational material which goes to the edge, stays there, and doesn’t retreat. …”
Review of Chicago Edge Ensemble Decaying Orbit Audiophile Audition 2017
“… Dan Phillips leads a Quintet with a big Chicago sound and memorable compositions…”
Review The Wire Magazine 2017
“… Decaying Orbit” – the song and the album fulfills the of its members and furthers the legacy of its worldly leader…”
Review Something Else Reviews 2017
“… Chicago jazz is the complexity of the postmodern with a predisposition for rump shaking. The Quintet rarely lowers the flame below boiling…”
Review allaboutjazz 2017
“… one of the most original guitarists and composers currently on the jazz scene… ”.
Review allaboutjazz.com 2010
“… brilliant recording of contemporary improvisation at it’s best….. an elite and highly imaginative composer…. Phillips has a very unique guitar style… ”
Review of Dan Phillips Trio CD Destination Unknown, Jazz Improv Magazine 4/08
“… he [Phillips] opens the vista in a swell of notes that cut, roll and sweep ahead in a near torrent… the textures weave and bob, taking flight on the wings of their imagination… ”
Review of Dan Phillips Trio “A Moment of Clarity”
allaboutjazz.com 1/2005
“Phillips provides lush and full chord voicings in just the right places, and solos effortlessly. His tone is clean and traditional while his improvised lines are much more in the free jazz genre in their direction. Dan Phillips is an interesting player who blends a modern and free approach with a more mainstream tone.”
Review of “Bangkok Edge” Vince Lewis Guitar International 2013
“Phillips innovative and improvisational mindset is still held together with the glue that is his strict belief in melody. He seems to know, without hesitation, when to break free of the textbook, yet recovers back to the basic principles of arrangement and composition. As a fine navigator, Phillips sets his compass by pure gut instinct, a refreshing trait of a leader!” “Rising above the nauseam of the traditionally bland attempts from others in the past, Phillips always seems, in all his work, to strive and succeed in keeping the sound fresh and expressive in feel and style.”
Review of "Bangkok Edge" Karl Strober Cadence Magazine July 2013
"When Phillips cuts loose he's as exciting a guitarist as there is, though he never abandons melody. He gets under the skin of the composer and inhabits a tune, reworking it in his own idiom. And as his originals here and on his previous albums as leader demonstrate, he creates pretty high standards of his own design."
Review of "Bangkok Edge", allaboutjazz.com, 2012
“Phillips is, without question, a skilled guitarist. His playing is fluid and understated, but he’s not above progressing through lengthy jams and pushing things to their limits. He solos deeply rather than broadly, tunnelling in to find the consistency of the notes and probing their meaning with sleek flourishes and impactful holds.”
Review of "Bangkok Edge, Canadian Audiophile, 2012
“Phillips in particular stands out for his fluid, whimsical articulations that’s alternately fleet-fingered and thoughtful, but always fresh and not clichéd. Phillips, as is made clear on this song, is one of those “looks hard, sounds effortless” type of guitar players. “
Review of "Bangkok Edge, Something Else Reviews, 2012 |