Label: Edition Records, 2022
Personnel - Jason Rigby: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet, flute; Shai Maestro: piano, mellotron, ampliceleste, Fender Rhodes; Chris Morrissey: bass; Mark Guiliana: drums, synth, percussion, drum programming.
Drummer/composer Mark Guiliana’s third recording with his notable quartet reinvents the formula presented by the two previous albums and keeps you on your toes, creating new lines of thought that, sounding complex at times, are never opaque. Known for subverting the norms of jazz as well as merging innovation and tradition to his advantage, Guiliana builds ‘sound of listening’ with eclecticism. Both the album’s title and the ideas behind the music came from the book Silence: the Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise by Buddhist Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.
“a path to bliss” is the first reflection into serenity via an undisturbed instrumentation that incorporates keys and reeds. The bass throb delivered by Chris Morrissey seems to want to beat faster, and the orchestration gains more layers, sounding contextually unfettered when Guiliana infuses a consistent pop/rock rhythm. This is followed by the soul-searching “the most important question”, which kicks off with a bass pedal point and a frenzy synced melody delivered by pianist Shai Maestro, who doubles here on Rhodes, and English saxophonist Jason Rigby, whose individual expression comes to the fore while drawing on the impeccable rhythmic control of the group. There are multiple fluxes succeeding one another with logic.
That’s also the case with “our essential nature”, a contemporary stunner with colorful language and killer instinct. The piece revels in demanding melodic contours, chordal dexterity, impressive pulses, and chance-taking solos by Maestro, Guiliana and Rigby. The latter blows his horn over a fusion tapestry that includes Latin, electronica and rock elements.
Guiliana’s compositions are mesmerizing. Whereas the delightful “under the influence” presents some mystery between the lines and makes the drums sing more than any other instrument, “continuation” is an Afro-centric celebration that provides the most fun. With the bassist and the drummer laying the groundwork with aplomb, don’t even think about being static.
“everything changed after you left” goes from a spiritual ballad to the gentle swing of a bolero groove. At a later stage, we are taken to pop-rock territory complemented by jazz-immersed improvisation. The kaleidoscope of facets always cohere, even during the shorter electronica-oriented pieces that serve as interludes - the title track, for example, shows the versatility of the group by intelligently integrating synth stabs, mellotron, and drum programming.
Guiliana keeps helping define the contemporary music of our era with a perfect balance between great melodies, stunning rhythms and improvised playing. This album will surprise those who think they have listened to everything this band has to offer.
Favorite tracks:
02 - the most important question ► 04 - our essential nature ► 08 - under the influence