Label: Clean Feed, 2020
Personnel - Simon Nabatov: piano; Chris Speed: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Herb Robertson: trumpet, vocals; John Hébert: double bass; Tom Rainey: drums.
Signaling the third appearance of Russian-born pianist Simon Nabatov on Clean Feed, Plain is his second consecutive quintet effort and the follow up to Last Minute Theory (2019). However, none of the musicians that joined him on the latter has performed in this new work. The bandleader put together another A-list group with bassist John Hébert and drummer Tom Rainey constituting a sturdy foundation, and with saxophonist Chris Speed and trumpeter Herb Robertson assuring a nimble frontline. The latter contributes one short piece called “Ramblin’ On”, a quite intense stretch where he literally vociferates with a distorted effect in the company of Speed’s punchy attacks and the insane entanglement weaved by the rhythm section.
From the five Nabatov originals on the album, I elect “Plain” and “Break” as highlights. The former begins with an elegant piano-clarinet recital that conjures up the most refined classical music. A sultry Arabic feel mixes with the sound of czars and an avant-jazz boldness is inevitably thrown in the mix. Speed shows off his burnished sound and expressive vocabulary, and things get tenser with Robertson’s continuous flux of terse notes, during which Nabatov colors with sophistication in the accompaniment. The pianist’s penchant for improvisation is amply demonstrated throughout the record, but he truly excels here, before the beautifully melodic conclusion. For its part, “Break” is mounted with deftness and delivered with tact, displaying bouts of excellent playing. At first, we have sax and trumpet working together, having a cerebral arco bass as a supportive factor. Sudden bursts of energy are injected by the rhythm team, and Nabatov’s ingenious pianism comes to the fore once again as he improvises with a sure sense of time and phrasing over a groovy tapestry.
The moody “Copy That” intersperses mystifying and cacophonous moments with dexterity, working the low-end sounds with a serious-minded posture. It contrasts with “Cry From Hell”, which despite the title may suggest, feels much more relaxed in the way that it consolidates the numerous musical vistas acquired by Nabatov throughout the years. It’s a mixed bag of Monk’s angular swing, Brazilian elements, jazz tradition, and a dash of Herbie Nichols’ musical temper. It’s exactly with a classic piece of the aforementioned pianist - “House Party Starting” - that the group concludes this session.
The musicians involved in this project channel their contagious energies with a common sense of direction, facilitating Nabatov's musical personality to come through loud and clear.
Grade B+
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Plain ► 04 - Break ► 07 - House Party Starting