Label: Toof Records, 2020
Personnel - Brian Krock: conductor; Charlotte Greve: alto saxophone, flute; Caroline Davis: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; Timo Vollbrecht: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet; Anna Webber: tenor saxophone, alto flute, flute; Jay Rattman: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; John Lake: trumpet, flugelhorn; Kenny Warren: trumpet, flugelhorn; Chloe Rowlands: trumpet, flugelhorn; Dave Adewumi: trumpet, flugelhorn; Nick Grinder: trombone; Sam Blakeslee: trombone; Isaac Kaplan: trombone; Jen Wharton: bass trombone; Olli Hirvonen: guitar; Arcoiris Sandoval: piano; Marty Kenney: bass; Nathan Ellman-Bell: drum set.
After an acclaimed eponymous debut, the 18-piece Big Heart Machine, led by saxophonist/composer/arranger Brian Krock, returns with a live recording captured at The Jazz Gallery in New York. It was great to see that the ensemble, even without Paul Jones, thrives with the talents of saxophonists Anna Webber and Caroline Davis on its lineup.
“Unblock the Stoppage” opens the session, bringing a sense of orchestral freedom in a way but sounding perhaps a bit more cerebral than other Machine’s efforts. A dialogue between the saxophones of Anna Webber and Timo Volllbrecht is emphasized while, down the road, the immensely adaptable drumming from Nathan Ellman-Bell keeps shifting in texture, density and color. The drummer has the spotlight exclusively turned on him on the percussive section that introduces “Recessive”, whose asymmetric meter doesn’t discourage a fleshed out alto solo from Caroline Davis, with winning orchestral passages bridging segments. Bassist Marty Kenney also makes his point with a discourse over a lugubrious harmonic sequence delivered by pianist Arcoiris Sandoval.
Krock penned the two aforementioned compositions, as well as “Poreidoliac”, an avant-garde fantasy made of contractions and expansions and bold individual statements. Webber's flute stands out, and there are considerably more oblique angles in its puzzle of interlocking configurations than on “Glow On”, a love song written by Krock’s fiancée, the singer/songwriter Molly McAdoo. The light-filled tune immerses the listener in tender, expressive melodies while exuding a quietly ravishing quality. Guitar, trombone and trumpet occupy the center spots.
The group delves into Gyorgi Ligeti’s “Fanfares” with classical insight and contemporary chamber-jazz posture, but also an inner swinging sense. Stimulated by brushed drums and delicately spiraling horns and flutes, the piece is carried out with a constant effervescence without pouring things over too soon.
Orchestrated with modernistic splendor, this big-band music is nicely done.
Grade B+
Favorite tracks:
02 - Recessive ► 04 - Glow On ► 05 - Pareidoliac