Label: Intakt Records, 2021

Personnel - Ingrid Laubrock: tenor saxophone; Ralph Alessi: trumpet; Jacob Sacks: piano; Drew Gress: bass; Tom Rainey: drums.

The third installment in the catalogue of Tom Rainey Obbligato is a live recording composed of pieces of the Great American Songbook previously recorded by the quintet. Yet, these were reshaped anew for a 2018 concert at Jazz Club Hannover, Germany, which featured the band’s regular members - saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, trumpeter Ralph Alessi, bassist Drew Dress and Rainey on drums - with the exception of pianist Kris Davis, who was replaced by Jacob Sacks.

“If I Should Lose You” initiates the set with loose melodic contours and contrapuntal piano over the clearly swinging posture offered by the brushed drums and hopping bass lines. Alessi’s muted trumpet jumps into the fray with optimum aesthetic results, while Rainey’s rhythmic elucidations, near the end, become excitedly busy at times and gracefully restrained during others.

“Stella by Starlight” finds the group in top flight as they build phrases on top of phrases for an infinitely open communication. There’s textural inventiveness pumped up by the three time feel, and even an unexpected bossa groove before completion.

Two tracks on the record combine standards, with “What’s New / There is No Greater Love” being the first. The portion concerning the first piece is introduced by a harmoniously articulated bass statement, and then has piano, trumpet and sax, by turns, uttering the theme with a laid-back posture. The transition to the second song, which waltzes, is made via Rainey’s cymbal tinkling and scratches. They evolve into complex layers of toms, precise snare strokes and rim accents, before the incredibly adaptable Laubrock turns her focus to the main melody, flanked by Alessi’s conversational hooks.

In the same manner, the track five splices up “Just in Time” and “In Your Own Sweet Way”. The spirited vibe of the former benefits from occasional percussive slapback and creative freedom. Things are softened up for the latter tune, which earns some momentum through Sacks’ tense chords and melodic undercurrent.

The group concludes with a nearly free-bop reading of Jerome Kern’s “Long Ago and Far Away”.

What makes this record so satisfying comes in large measure from the distinctive sound and sense of liberation conveyed by each musician. Their ability to transform notably known songs into something imaginatively new is strongly valued.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - If I Should Lose You ► 02 - Stella by Starlight ► 05 - Just in Time / In Your Own Sweet Way

Label/Year: Intakt Records, 2017

Lineup – Ingrid Laubrock: tenor and soprano saxophone; Ralph Alessi: trumpet; Kris Davis: piano; Drew Gress: bass; Tom Rainey: drums.

Multifaceted American drummer Tom Rainey reunited his all-star band Obbligato for their second outing, Float Upstream, following the same philosophy of picking out classic tunes from the Great American Songbook and transforming them according to a modern point of view.

The quintet, both responsive and malleable, features Ingrid Laubrock on saxophones, Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Kris Davis on piano, and Drew Gress on bass, each of them staggering improvisers and distinguished bandleaders.

The music passes a feeling of delight, showing the respect and admiration these adventurous musicians have for the repertoire, even if they’re mostly known for different voyages, certainly less accessible yet widely exciting. However, fans of their probing style can relax because the fearless, risky attitude and proneness for experimentation are all here, well adapted to the softer nature of the pieces, whose new aesthetics blooms under a loose-jointed predisposition.

“Stella by Starlight” gives the example, opening the recording with a breezy Motian-esque flow hinged to the natural swinging environment. The melodic conversation between Alessi and Laubrock finds Davis as a meddler, each of them contributing to the balanced hybridity of tradition and modernity.

Soaring like a feather in the wind, Sam Rivers’ “Beatrice” is subjected to a cultivated sonic treatment. The balladic journey starts with sophisticated trumpet lines over sparse piano textures. After interlocking bass lines and distinctive brushwork get aligned to build a solid ground, Laubrock’s saxophone pops up, weaving melodies in and out, as the gentle yet propelling swinging inflection takes over.

An intrepid avant-jazz invasion takes hold of the uptempo “What is This Thing Called Love”, which features thoughtful horn interplay and a jagged piano exhilaration cooked up with intelligence. Here, the tune’s melodic statement can be glimpsed during the last seconds, but on “What’s New” it's perfectly recognizable from the beginning on account of Davis, who never abandons the main melody completely, exploring around it. Before she appears, one may indulge in Gress' solo bass intro populated with gorgeous woody phrases, elastic slides, and brief quick trills. The saxophonist, less expansive than usual and working alongside Alessi, still tosses a few elliptical punches to keep things interesting, wrapping up the piece with melodic clarity.

Brandishing his unique sound and advanced rhythmic discernment, Rainey opens a surprisingly waltzing “There Is No Greater Love” with both wet and wry tonalities allied to other inventive percussive techniques. Expect nice call-responses throughout a soprano/trumpet improvisation.

Before closing the session with another well-known ballad, “I Fall in Love Too Easily”, there’s time for the uncompromising title track, the only piece composed by the quintet, which swinging straight, also explores boundlessly.

Only talented musicians create edgy perspectives from traditional forms and structures. Rainey’s Obbligato does it charmingly with a selfless commitment.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Beatrice ► 03 – What is This Thing Called Love ► 04 - What’s New