Label: Diskonife Records, 2020
Personnel - Matt Moran: vibraphone; Gary Versace: Hammond B3; Tom Rainey: drums.
Since the mid 90s, the musical talents of vibraphonist/composer Matt Moran have been strengthening and enriching important recordings from creative jazz musicians. Drummer John Hollenbeck (The Claudia Quintet and Large Ensemble), trumpeter Nate Wooley, vocalist Theo Bleckmann, and cellist Daniel Levin are among them. Not as active as a leader as he is as a sideman, Moran releases his sophomore trio outing, Return Trip, with two of his musical heroes: keyboardist Gary Versace (here on Hammond B3 only) and drummer Tom Rainey. Throughout the seven original compositions presented here, he and his cohorts create atypical trajectories elegantly harmonized with an acute musical instinct. Avoiding complex and extended written parts, the focus is mainly directed toward improvisation.
“Ripples” exposes a great deal of catchy melody that breathes above the compellingly designed layers of groovy organ and understated percussion. The genuine musical chemistry shared by Moran and Versace is on display here, and gets even bigger proportions on “Chord Conversation”, which is poured forth with a thoughtful understanding of dynamics, including discontinuities, advances, counterpoint, suspensions and resolutions. The formidable rhythmic sensibility of Rainey is constant, yet the drummer certainly takes more liberties on “Spring”, especially during the polyrhythmic vamp that kicks things off. Then comes a pedal-like passage with a subtle touch of rock. The early static nature of this piece turns into a meditation on polytonality, and consecutive bright chords are sequenced to attain a straight-eight feel. Towards the end, Moran casts the listener under a spell with a sinuously articulated statement that is revelatory of his superb four-mallet technique.
Despite contemplative in a certain way, “Sometimes it’s OK” sounds very experimental. The autonomous musical streams produced by all three instruments shape in a series of tonal palettes that ultimately meld into one another. The initial proceedings, getting closer to ambient electronica, later takes the form of a high-vibing free improvisation.
With serene harmonic patterns flowing as light as feathers, “Peace and Integration” hides a double meaning in the title. It pays tribute to pianist Horace Silver by borrowing the chord progression from his enchanting ballad “Peace” and engraving a new impressionistic melody on it; and it’s also a call for hope regarding the integration of peace and justice in the lives of African-Americans.
With Return Trip, Moran delivers a more mature statement as a composer. His singular trio of vibes, organ and drums rejects cliché and banality all the way through.
Grade B+
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Ripples ► 02 - Spring ► 03 - Chord Conversation