Label: Intakt Records, 2021
Personnel - Ohad Talmor: tenor saxophone; Miles Okazaki: guitar; Dan Weiss: drums.
There are many facets to saxophonist Ohad Talmor’s oeuvre. His interest in and devotion to currents like Hindustani and contemporary classical music make him speak with idioms that captivate and intrigue, demonstrating his virtuosic compositional abilities within structurally compelling music.
Mise En Place explores new directions in jazz by making use of the cited influences with cleverness, and finds him fronting a trio with two other cats - guitarist Miles Okazaki and drummer Dan Weiss - both members of another project he leads, the Newsreel Sextet.
The influence of Indian classical music and its rhythmic cycles appear in full bloom not only on “Kamali” - whose intriguing form develops with intersections of Eastern vernacular, contemporary jazz and rock overtones for a first-class piece of fusion - but also on “Shymal Bose Chakradar”, in which accessible melodic parts are quickly reformulated into new patterns and grooves (the rhythm section is simply brilliant here), and also “Rupak Tukra”, a complex concoction of Monk accents and Indian flavors that never loses direction.
Also intermixing the Western and Eastern musical worlds with incessant rhythmic upheaval, “Mixo Mode 19” sometimes resembles Henry Threadgill as it straddles between rigorous composition and searing improvisation. This piece contradicts sharply the rocking spirit of “Back of the Plane”, presented with groove and power and chromatic modulation, and sounding like a postmodern version of Rage Against the Machine.
The fancifully accented “Theme and Variations” has a funky rhythm undergirding the parallel lines agreed by Okazaki and Talmor in a more familiar avant-garde setting. Subsequently, we have the former delving into post-rock guitar textures, while the latter blows the tenor with a throaty quality and multiphonic conviction.
The inclusion of two beautiful pieces by John Coltrane confirms the respect nurtured for this quintessential saxophonist. Breaking the intricate rhythmic currents of the preceding five tracks, “Wise One” finds space to breathe, taking us from a context with highly melodic saxophone, scintillating (guitar/chords/texture) and cymbal washes to a rich Brazilian meditation. And “After the Rain” concludes the record with that irresistible peace of mind that all Coltrane lovers search from time to time.
This is a work of pure dedication and focus, impressive in its sheer physicality and complexion. This trio, a new favorite and one of the strongest of 2021, should not be overlooked, demonstrating to have a rapport as tremendous as its musicianship.
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Favorite Tracks:
01 - Kamali ► 05 - Theme and Variations ► 06 - Wise One