Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - Gabriels Horns (2003)

Gabriel assembled like-minded artists to create a new sound that melded smooth jazz with a British flair, along the lines of firebrand UK guitarist Ronny Jordan. Folding in a little spice from the Tower of Power recipe book, and even a little Chuck Mangione sauce, Gabriel tells a story in colors, textures, and flavors, and ties it all up with a good strong groove!

Gabriel says: ”In this age of specialization, it is a challenge to be a specialist in diversification, yet this is where I find myself."

The critics raved and said this:

If Gabriel Mark Hasselbach’s music is jazz, then Gabriel’s Horns could sell as a franchise. It is targeted to listeners who play music to brighten their days. Hasselbach achieves this goal beautifully in just over 60 minutes. The sound is slickly dripped with an honesty that makes this music hard to place within jazz, or without it. Accomplished and relaxing, Gabriel’s Horns has value added in production elements that serve to remove the edge from any given day. “Uber Smooth” uses raindrop keyboard effects reminiscent of the Doors’ “Riders on the Storm,” yet this song contrasts the spatial effect with highly competent horn playing. “Groovalicious Bumpus” shakes you out of sedation in a nine-minute groove that pumps with purposeful attitude. “When You Look for Love” would be smooth jazz radio’s obvious choice. “Soulmates” soothingly explores musical paths that were defined 20 years ago, but it does so well. The back half of the record re-establishes a rejuvenating catharsis of smooth music. The title track is the best song on this record, a potpourri of winded aural environments with a lovely melody line spaced by layered keyboard textures. Critics may deem this record to be too slick. If slick is bad, Hasselbach is guilty, but he unabashedly excels in the music’s mainstream. Gabriel’s Horns is absolutely produced. The mix is clear yet textured, incorporating a world of sounds. The whole record holds 4/4 time, songs are strategically slow-faded, and the last two tracks are vocal reprisals of their former selves. This record is as much created as played. Gabriel’s Horns packs musical ideas into a density that acknowledges commerce, but Gabriel Mark Hasselbach is easily talented enough to deviate from that norm in the future. If you think real jazz must be hard to grasp, you won’t like this record. Those of us who shun that debate are drawn to this music as a fan is to art.” AllAboutJazz.com (Staff Review)

"Highly competent horn playing.... a potpourri of winded aural environments..... unabashedly excels in the music's mainstream" Gregory J. Robb AllAboutJazz.com

"GABRIEL'S HORNS has a long shelf life, you will not be taking this one out of the CD player anytime soon." Sandy Shore/ SmoothJazz.com "Good Smooth Jazz should appeal to a wider audience but maintain some semblance of Jazz and this album does that....... catchy grooves .... an ingredient that may please the traditionalists who are not usually open to Smooth Jazz....... I see "Gabriel's Horns" as another hit album in a very successful career." John Beaudin 103.1 The Breeze/ SmoothjazzCanada.com

"Gabriel Mark Hasselbach is a talented multi-instrumentalist whose music receives prominent airplay on the Jazz Cafe channel here at Max Trax. Maui Rain has a smooth groove that fits in perfectly with our sound. This bright, sunny song is only the first of what I hope to be several single releases from "Gabriel's Horns" -- we want more!" Carol Ann Murray, MaxTrax

Performance: 5, Sound: 4, “Gabriel reigns as one of Canada's best contemporary jazz artists. He plays trumpet, flugelhorn, flutes and percussion all with a warm, smooth character. Most of the music was written and produced by Hasselbach with strong contributions from Jeff Holl (guitar, keyboards). The tunes immediately sound familiar and relaxing. Upbeat vocals from Christine Duncan add variety to the mix including a fresh arrangement of " Chain of Fools". Some of the best are "Uber Smooth", "Turn On To Summer", "When You Look For Love" and "Concubine" but we guarantee contemporary jazz lovers will find lots to like among the 13 tracks.“ [O's Place Jazz Newsletter]