| High Heart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 30, 2020 (2020-10-30) | |||
| Recorded | January 7 & 8, 2019 Brooklyn, New York | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 45:06 | |||
| Label | Edition EDN 1162 LP/CD | |||
| Ben Wendel chronology | ||||
| ||||
High Heart is the fifth studio album of saxophonist and composer Ben Wendel. It was released on October 30, 2020, under the Edition label.[1]
The album is described as a personal statement and reflection of Wendel's journey "in a society of increasing complexity, oversaturation, and social imbalance [and one] that opens discussion and raises questions about how artists create art that is personal and meaningful in an increasingly impersonal time."[2][3]
The album's cover artwork was designed by British designer, Oli Bentley. Every sleeve of the limited-edition colored vinyl run was individually hand painted before distribution.[4]
Most recently, Wendel has toured with the High Heart Project, collaborating and featuring film maker, pianist, and new media artist, XUAN.
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz |   [3] |
| DownBeat | [2] |
Mike Jacobs, writing for All About Jazz, described it as a "standout album that is at once challenging, inspiring, and an advance—but most importantly, one that lives up to its title".[3] James Hale of DownBeat added, "Wendel most often strikes a tone of uncertainty, if not outright anxiety. Call it brooding music for our times."[2]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Ben Wendel.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "High Heart" | 6:38 |
| 2. | "Burning Bright" | 6:08 |
| 3. | "Kindly" | 7:08 |
| 4. | "Less" | 3:51 |
| 5. | "Drawn Away" | 7:14 |
| 6. | "Fearsome" | 4:58 |
| 7. | "Darling" | 5:52 |
| 8. | "Traveler" | 3:17 |
| Total length: | 45:06 | |
Personnel
- Ben Wendel – tenor saxophone, bassoon, effects[5]
- Michael Mayo – vocals, effects
- Shai Maestro – piano, Rhodes piano
- Gerald Clayton – piano, Rhodes piano
- Joe Sanders – upright bass
- Nate Wood – drums
Production
- Oli Bentley – artwork design
- Nate Wood – tracking and mixing
- Nate Wood at Kerseboom Mastering, NY – mastering[6]
References
- ^ "High Heart, by Ben Wendel". Bandcamp. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c Hale, James (November 2020). "DownBeat Reviews | Ben Wendel - High Heart". DownBeat. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c Jacobs, Mike (October 30, 2020). "Ben Wendel: High Heart album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "Ben Wendel | High Heart – Jazz in Europe". Jazz in Europe. October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ Russonello, Giovanni (January 3, 2019). "12 Pop, Rock and Jazz Concerts to Check Out in N.Y.C. This Weekend". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Ben Wendel – High Heart". Discogs. October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
