Observations (album)

Observations is the debut album by American jazz trombonist Steve Swell and saxophonist Chris Kelsey, which was recorded in 1996 and released on CIMP.

Observations
Studio album by Steve Swell & Chris Kelsey
Released	1996
Recorded	February 16 & 17, 1996
Studio	The Spirit Room, Rossie, New York
Genre	Jazz
Length	66:01
Label	CIMP
Producer	Bob Rusch
Steve Swell chronology
Observations (1996) Out and About (1996)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[2]

In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow states "Both Swell and Kelsey (who possess fairly original sounds) are not shy to utilize space nor to express themselves and their colorful interplay is the main reason to acquire this continually interesting avant-garde disc."[1]

The Penguin Guide to Jazz notes that "The duo with Kelsey is a long-standing rehearsal partnership, and they read each other's moves with brilliant empathy."[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Chris Kelsey & Steve Swell

1. "The History of Jazz is Replete with Anomalies" - 8:59
2. "Charlie Parker Did Not Want To Be Worshipped Like a God" - 12:22
3. "The Last Note Has Yet to Be Spoken" - 6:51
4. "Sedition Build Tradition" - 9:15
5. "Bill Clinton Digs Stan Getz" - 8:26
6. "The Best Things in Jazz Are Free" - 9:03
7. "Cage Was Occasionally Wrong" - 7:31
8. "An Afterthought" - 3:34

Personnel

• Steve Swell - trombone
• Chris Kelsey - soprano sax

References

1. Yanow, Scott. Steve Swell – Observations: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
2. Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2002). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (6th ed.). London: Penguin. p. 1413. ISBN 0-14-051521-6.