Label: Not Two Records, 2021
Personnel - Jon Irabagon: tenor and soprillo saxophones, alto clarinet; Joe Fonda: double bass; Barry Altschul: drums.
With Long Tall Sunshine, the legendary drummer, composer and bandleader Barry Altschul (Paul Bley, Anthony Braxton, Chick Corea, Sam Rivers) expands the initially intended trilogy with his muscular, highly explorative 3Dom Factor trio, featuring Joe Fonda on bass and Jon Irabagon on reeds.
This recording, captured live during the 2019 tour, comprises one brand new composition and four familiar pieces by Altschul - all previously recorded by this ensemble - with three of them harking back to his first trio (1979-1980) with trombonist Ray Anderson and bassist Mark Helias. But don’t fret about it because they appear here wearing new outfits to provide different experiences.
The brand new title track bursts out of the starting gate with groove, swinging motion and Latin segments delivered with a superior quality. This open rhythmic disposition pervades the album, and whereas the rhythm section is permanently on guard - sending forth thrumming bass pulses and timbral drum irradiation - Irabagon is on the loose, blowing with such an authority and making his positively titanic presence felt.
The saxophonist embraces his instrument in full, without making concessions in the aesthetics he envisions, and the kinetic “The 3Dom Factor” is another wonderful example of that. Everything starts with a jaunty free romp whose force declines for a sturdy yet refined bass discourse. Irabagon then steals the show with flamenco-tinged melodies, percussive popping sounds, complex chains of notes, as well as play with the saxophone airflow and producing quirky sounds via extended techniques.
“Irina” is a ballad propelled by brushes and melodically escorted by the alto clarinet, while “Be Out S’Cool” brings some ambiguity in its articulation, featuring a trialogue between soprillo sax, bowed bass and the confident sounds conjured from Altschul’s drum kit. This can be heavy with detail but is also continually rewarding.
The recording ends with Altschul’s oldest number, “Martin’s Stew”, where the drummer draws a logical intro before carrying a frantic swinging energy that serves as a platform for extended solos by the threesome.
Altschul shows no signs of flagging, and we welcome his powerful trio anytime.
Grade A-
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Long Tall Sunshine ► 02 - The 3Dom Factor ► 04 - Be Out S’Cool