Label: Nonesuch Records, 2023
Personnel - Darcy James Argue: composition, conduction; Dave Pietro: alto sax, flutes; Rob Wilkerson: saxophones, clarinet, flute; Sam Sadigursky: tenor saxophone, clarinet; John Ellis: tenor saxophone, clarinets; Carl Maraghi: baritone saxophone; Ingrid jensen: trumpet; Seneca Black: trumpet; Liesl Whitaker: trumpet; Matt Holman: trumpet; Nadje Noordhuis: trumpet; Brandon Lee: trumpet; Mike Fahie: trombone; Ryan Keberle: trombone; Jacob Garchik: trombone; Jennifer Wharton: bass trombone; Sara Caswell: violin, hardanger d'amore; Sebastian Noelle: guitars; Adam Birnbaum: piano; Matt Clohesy: acoustic and electric bass; Jon Wikan: drum set; Cecile McLorin Salvant: vocals.
The qualities of a meticulously planned recording is on display in the fourth outing of lauded Canadian composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue and his 18-piece ensemble Secret Society. Just as colorful as the album’s cover, the music in Dynamic Maximum Tension offers triumphant sonic assertion and textural palettes that, standing on their own, also support improvisation.
For this double-disc effort, Argue set out to create musical portraits of individuals he greatly admires. The high-powered opener, “Dymaxion”, was composed with architect/inventor Buckminster Fuller in mind, and his Dymaxion car. Combining pulsating bass tension, rim clicks, and lateral cymbal hits at the outset, the piece evolves into a 15-beat cycle bass groove that, boosting a rock-inflected texture for a while, also supports the meaty sounds of baritonist Carl Maraghi. The latter stretches out further as the tapestry changes.
Harnessing emotion at every step, “All In” plays with a downtempo beat, intricate time shifts, and lush harmonies, featuring Australian trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis as the sole improviser. This one is a tribute to late trumpeter Laurie Frink. “Ebonite” is driven by a strong motivic intention and builds on top of and around that. The piece shifts, but it’s a vigorous waltzing intensity that buoys up Dave Pietro’s dazzling soprano reflection.
The smokin’ hot “Wingéd Beasts” has a soft start but then strikes with polyrhythm and fine solos from trombonist Ryan Keberle, who blows over agile bass movements and discreet drumming, and Maraghi on baritone, who enjoys the key-shifting lilting measures under his feet. Disc I ends with “Your Enemy is Asleep”, whose balladic ethos occasionally takes on a dark, dirge-like quality. The latter number features spine-shivering statements from bassist Matt Clohesy and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.
Disc II deepens ties to jazz tradition with numbers such as “Tensile Curves”, a 31-minute response to Duke Ellington’s “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue”. This piece seamlessly blends repose and excitement, often opting for metrical modulation. But there’s also “Mae West: Advice”, a tribute to the actress, singer, and sex symbol in the title, which is enhanced by Cecile McLorin Salvant’s lovable voice and Jensen’s totally-connected trumpetism. Another standout, “Ferromagnetic”, is bookended by an atmospheric rock and fusion postures offered by guitar and piano, incorporating asymmetric rhythmic patterns, a defiant bass groove, and a fine improvisation by trumpeter Matt Holman. The topic here is American military contracting.
This album is a celebration of big band magnificence, characterized by sterling layering taste, solid movements, and expertly seamless passages. Argue reappears in excellent form.
Favorite Tracks:
01 (Disc I) - Dymaxion ► 06 (Disc I) - Your Enemies are Asleep ► 02 (Disc II) - Ferromagnetic