Well, PROPULSION, the first single off my new CD Open Invitation is heading into orbit!
After 8 weeks of bubbling under as a 'New and Active', PROPULSION debuted on Billboard Feb 17 at #24! Then moved up again on Billboard and SmoothJazz.com the following week.
I should mention that my co-producer Lew Laing Jr also produced Melina in the #23 spot- Lew seems to have it all sewn up!
I seem to be getting lots of love these days, and just today two from Southern Ontario's (and arguably all of Canada's) hotspot for contemporary jazz, Wave.fm.
Comments like : " ....an album that raises the bar for coolness, style, chicness, and a compelling elegant vibe", and "...this Vancouver-based musical master plays with the big boys because he can. Whether trumpet, flute or fluglehorn (oh how I love that word!) GMH proves time and time again that he is worthy of every accolade" kind of make the hair on the back of my neck stand up, but I'll do what I can to live up to the high marks I have been given .... :-)
Check out both reviews from the program Director, Stu Berketo, and the Morning Host, Vickie VanDyke. (more reviews below)
http://www.wave.fm/…/gabriel-mark-hasselbach-open-invitiati…
From the USA:
"Gabriel Mark Hasselbach's new CD Open Invitation, on which he wrote all the tunes and plays trumpet, flugel, alto and C flutes, valve bone, and EVI, is a tour de force of arranging and production..... Gabriel sounds great on everything.... no easy task, and should be really proud of this one! You'll find yourself humming these tunes when you least expect it!" ~ Randy Brecker -multiple Grammy winning trumpeter (Brecker Bros, etc)
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - Open Invitation 4/4
"Canadian trumpeter Gabriel Mark Hasselbach returns on Open Invitation with his proven formula for success: a cadre of talented guest artists, fresh, funky rhythms and at least one soulful vocal track. "Lovelight" spotlights Hasselbach with vocals from Dee & Brittani Cole. Bob Baldwin (p) shines on "Charmed Life"; Bob Mintzer (sax) adds spice on "Let It Slide" and Cory Weeds (sax) stars on "Carte Blanche". These are a few of the highlights in yet another winning set from GMH." ~ D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place Jazz Newsletter
".....Riveting sound ......solid groove-packed ..... loaded with both soothing and searingly funky jazz just like we C-jazzers like it. After his scorching 2012 Kissed By the Sun release, who could expect anything less from this prolific trumpeter who not only cranks out his own quality albums but is featured on albums by other top-notch artists, as well. ....Hasselbach also has some straight-ahead work under his belt – and you may be able to detect some of that influence ....much to the delight of the C-jazzers of the world.This album, which also features him on flugelhorn and flutes, has some cool contributors like keyboardists Greg Manning, Cal Harris Jr., and Bob Baldwin, and saxman Bob Mintzer of Yellowjackets fame. They all make this one cool, flowing party. Suffice it to say that Hasselbach not only consistently has a handle on the C-jazz groove but again works it to perfection here on Open Invitation. ~ Ronald Jackson- TheSmoothJazzRide.com read full review here
A review from Canada:
"I recently received trumpeter Gabriel Hasselbach's new cd Open Invitation and I highly recommend it! It's fast, classy and progressive and full of great all-star guest performers. I can see why the first single release, Propulsion, with special guest Greg Manning is sweeping the jazz world - it's just great music! I guarantee months of repeat playing of Gabriel's new music on my jazz program! Keep up the good work and great music Gabriel!" ~ Bill Sharpe, host of Newfoundland's only jazz program Cool Jazz On The Coast
From Switzerland:
Gabriel - Open Invitation (2014)
Trumpet player Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - currently calling himself just Gabriel - comes up with an awesome album full of memorable tracks and tons of first-rate guest players, like Bob Mintzer, Bob Baldwin, Greg Manning and many others. The music is groovy and offers a lot of variety, the musicianship is on a high level, and the smooth trumpet and flugelhorn playing of the leader holds it all together. Great stuff! ~ Peter Boehi Smoothvibes.com Switzerland
From Germany:
"With Open Invitation it becomes apparent that Gabriel needn't shy away from comparison with any other trumpeter in the world."
~ Hans-Bernd Hülsmann- Smooth Jazz Daily