Label: edition Records, 2020
Personnel - Ben Wendel: tenor saxophone, EFX, piano, Wurlitzer, bassoon; Michael Mayo: vocals; Shai Maestro: piano and Fender Rhodes; Gerald Clayton: piano and Fender Rhodes; Joe Sanders: double bass; Nate Wood: drums.
Saxophonist Ben Wendel boasts a robust yet soulful style that speaks to contemporary jazz avoiding predictable settings. After obtaining universal acclaim with the unforgettable The Seasons (Motema, 2018), Wendel reinforces his credentials as a deft composer and killer soloist with a new outing, High Heart, his fifth as a leader and first on the Edition Records. The canny arrangements inflicted to the eight original compositions on the record show his sense of sound exploration and a refined taste in the instrumental choices. This work is a personal reflection about the purpose and meaning of an artist in today’s overloaded music-making.
The lyrical title track kicks off with Michael Mayo’s beautiful voice at the fore, floating atop the soft harmonic tapestry weaved by arpeggiated piano and organic bass-drums synthesis. The tails of the saxophone melodies are modulated by synth effect and Wendel’s solo coincides with the tune’s dramatic pinnacle. Even if Donny McCaslin (early 2000s phase), Theo Bleckmann and Mark Guiliana (without the broken beat) are names that may pop up in your minds when listening to this music, there’s a unique, personal touch at every turn.
With a lovable near-electronic rhythm and insane unisons, “Burning Bright”, whose title derived from William Blake’s poem The Tyger, vouches for freedom while presenting taut, gloriously liberating exchanges between Wendel, Mayo, and keyboardists Shai Maestro and Gerald Clayton. The rare level of intuition between the musicians is on display, and a momentary euphoria is implanted on the busy finale, where written lines mix with improvisation.
“Kindly” accomplishes Wendel’s purpose to express deep appreciation for human connectedness, support and kindness. It’s done through clever modulation and outstanding melodicism, with Mayo and Wendel excelling in their respective solos. If the saxophonist, blowing with inside/outside ingenuity, creates astounding melodies here, Mayo totally grabs the spotlight on the meditative, prayer-like “Less”, where we find Wendel adorning on the bassoon.
“Drawn Away” is implemented with odd-meter and loquacious daring, reaching a very special state when Maestro scampers through with a mix of jazz, blues, R&B and gospelish elements into his stunning improvisation. Moments later, we have a dialogue between Wendel and Clayton, while bassist Joe Sanders and drummer Nate Wood maintain the tenacious rhythmic grip alive.
Delivered in five, the atmospherically static “Fearsome” is painted with darker hues and propelled by a gorgeous syncopated beat, whereas “Traveler”, which puts an end to this exciting sonic trip, provides ambiance and suggests downtempo as it mirrors and inverts material from the title cut.
Venturing into the present and future, this is a thought-provoking album that gives continuity to the brilliant job Wendel has been doing in recent times.
Grade A
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Burning Bright ► 03 - Kindly ► 05 - Drawn Away