Label: Koshkil Records, 2022
Personnel - Taylor Haskins: trumpet; Andrew Rathbun: saxophone; Matt Pavolka: bass; Tom Rainey: drums.
The Canadian saxophonist Andrew Rathbun reunites with his long-time collaborator, the American trumpeter Taylor Haskins, in an interesting session with a simpatico unit that strives to reach new grounds. The recording, which encloses composed tunes and sketchy collective improvisations, opens with Haskins’ “Wake Up Call”, a 2002 cut where a firm, open-ended rhythmic foundation encourages the horn players to deliver angular unisons and expressive concurrent statements. The known indefatigable robustness of bassist Matt Pavolka is eased on pieces such as “Sun Dogs” and “Slow Vignette”. The former is a Haskins-penned waltzing ballad with streamlined conversation between sax and trumpet, whereas the latter, written by Rathbun, flows with rubato delicacy, bringing about melodic lyricism as well as an arresting tenor solo.
Also from the pen of Rathbun, we have the witty “Go Ahead and Try to Have a Conversation Online” and “Do Not Call List”, where the opulent rock bottom transports one of those melodic stamps that are not easy to sing along. The saxophonist employs exotic scales and infuses bright ideas on the soprano, while the formidable bass delineation goes perfectly well with drummer Tom Rainey’s willful playing. His drum chops shimmer in the background or provide a skeleton of rhythm that hangs everything on. It's all played with wide-open ears.
“March” stands out, displaying brave snare rattling sounds paving the way, delay-affected trumpet, sparse bass accompaniment, assertive saxophone, and an ultimate polyphonic discourse. Rathbun and Haskins create effortlessly, exhibiting distinct sounds and approaches that, for example, on the short-lived improv “Skwonk” sets frenzied high-pitched soprano lines against flat muted trumpet. Always stretching to do something new, THAR sometimes pushes the music to alluringly uncharacteristic places.
Favorite Tracks:
05 - Slow Vignette ► 08 - Do Not Call List ► 10 - March