Label: Deepdig Records, 2024
Personnel - Don Peretz: drums; Jacob Sacks: piano.
On his latest album, Numerals, New York-based progressive drummer Don Peretz, renowned for his electronica-jazz-rock fusion, collaborates with the adventurous pianist Jacob Sacks, whose sharp and exploratory style perfectly complements Peretz’s dynamic approach. The duo shares an intuitive musical connection, balancing spontaneous creativity with composed pieces specifically crafted for this project. Peretz and Sacks first recorded together in 1999 for the album Spiral, a quartet setting that also featured saxophonist Sam Sadigursky and bassist Eivind Opsvick.
I have to admit, the first two tracks, “Kairin” and “Arthur’s Bread,” left me uncertain about whether I would enjoy the album. “Kairin”, with its muscular core and circular power chord progression borrowed from hard rock, was solid but not particularly special. “Arthur’s Bread”, which paired echoing Rhodes outputs with an unhurried yet firmly placed rhythm, felt like it was missing something. However, from that point on, the album captivated me, fascinating with its detail as the duo employed their state-of-the-art techniques and language to deliver an ultimately winning program.
“Épater Le Bourgeois” gains extra oomph through its odd meter, knotty melodic tangles, and a rich harmonic crusade that is perfectly anchored by Peretz’s rock-solid drumming and timely cymbal pulses. On occasion, I thought of it as a brainy fusion between E.S.T. and Chick Corea. “Suburban Talent”, channeling playful Monk-inspired riffs, maintains a logic avant-garde context, sliding steadily toward a final vamp that demands percussive expansion.
One of my favorite tracks is “Bag Chags”: asymmetric in tempo and carried by deep, tense, beautiful voicings supported by an unwavering rhythmic drive. Then, it shifts focus and key, leading to contrasting and surprising passages. The title cut, “Numerals”, plays like a modern Bach fugue, with arpeggiated piano sequences, tumbling dry toms, and sparkling cymbals extending the classical doctrine in interesting ways. In contrast, “Tyranny of Fine” leaves us wanting more after haunting us with a contemporary electronic vibe, snippets of melodic minimalism, and an irresistible hip-hop beat.
Numerals becomes more interesting with each listen, showcasing Peretz and Sacks in a raw, intimate fashion. They have this ability to effortlessly energize in smaller settings.
Favorite Tracks:
03 - Épater Le Bourgeois ► 04 - Suburban Talent ► 06 - Bag Chags