Dayna Stephens Trio - Liberty

March 31, 2020

Label: Contagious Music, 2020

Personnel - Dayna Stephens: tenor and baritone saxophones; Ben Street: acoustic bass; Eric Harland: drums.

Well-versed saxophonist Dayna Stephens went for an appealing trio recording session with longtime collaborators, bassist Ben Street and drummer Eric Harland. These musicians were featured on Stephens’ very first recording, The Timeless Now (CTA Records, 2007), and one composition from that album - “Lost And Found” - appears on Liberty with a new outfit, passing a sensation of downtempo jazz without really being it. The warmly connected bass lines join the laid-back drumming to support the darkly wistful tones of Stephens, who, on this one, plays baritone sax with asserted pensiveness.

Setting the tone for what follows, the opener, “Ran”, was written for film and music producer Randi Norman, conjuring supple melodies and swinging with easygoing familiarity. Stephens populates his tenor solo with smart note choices and rhythmic figures, while Street, finding pungently strutting routes throughout, also sets his bass to speak freely, having mainly a hi-hat rhythmic pulsation in the background. “Wil’s Way”, the closing track, is another composition penned to a friend, this time the organist Will Blades, with whom Stephens recorded on the albums Sketchy (Doodlin Records) by the organist and on his own New Day (Vegamusic), in 2007 and 2014, respectively. In this re-configured version, we find the saxophonist grooving with a blend of hard-bop and post-bop energies, well anchored in the rhythm section’s dynamic thrust.

The group’s work is similarly extroverted on “Loosy Goosy”, whose boppish exuberance hearkens to Joe Henderson and Sonny Rollins’ musical universes. Occasional Eastern-tinged spells are cast during the trade offs with Harland. This number was previously recorded, first appearing on the album Today is Tomorrow (Criss Cross, 2012).

Whereas “Tarifa” is a hymn-like African celebration that makes a picturesque sonic detour with plenty of rhythmic flair, “Planting Flowers”, composed by pianist Aaron Parks when he was 15, finds the trio sauntering with a casual, happy posture. They exert a fair amount of charm here.

The respect Stephens has for Coltrane is mirrored in two pieces where the latter’s genius is molded and taken to entirely new places. While “Faith Leap” is an unfaltering, breezy exercise founded on “Giant Steps”, where the bass follows the footsteps of the saxophone over a period of time, “Kwooked Stweet” is a contrafact of “Straight Street” and comes conducted with emphatic rhythmic accentuations and expressive interplay. By the end, Harland’s talkative drums can be heard over a sliding bass vamp designed for that purpose.

Shaped with equal parts sturdiness and grace, the 11 tracks of Liberty, Stephens’ ninth recording as a leader and first trio output, flourish with invention, suspension, and resolution. Above all, the group brings emotion into play, building and releasing tension in a stylized fashion.

Favorite Tracks:
04 - Lost and Found ► 06 - Loosy Goosy ► 07 - Tarifa

Flash Reviews - Reverso / Tobias Hoffmann Nonet / Chicago Underground Quartet

March 30, 2020

REVERSO - THE MELODIC LINE (One Note Records, 2020)

Personnel - Ryan Keberle: trombone; Vincent Courtois: cello; Frank Woeste: piano. .

Reverso is a perfectly integrated American-French trio whose newly arrived sophomore release, The Melodic Line, features material composed by Les Six, a French collective of composers from the early 20th century. Emerging the classical and the jazz worlds whilst understanding each other’s ideas, the trio limits pressure to a certain amount in favor of a more melancholic chamber artsiness that lives in conformity with the first three pieces on the record. However, I was not dragged into their mood until the fourth track, “Montparnasse”, which stroke me with Courtois’ sublime cello cries and general spellbinding ambiance. The trio explores sonic roadmaps with an intuitive sense of adjustment, but “Absinthe” develops like a pop song with melodic transparency and efficient harmonization. Showcasing Woeste’s bright pianism at the center, this piece has Courtois punctuating throughout with resolute, timely plucks, and Keberle improvising on top of a circular progression. The elevated melodicism revealed here is also crucial to the last track, “Clara”. In turn, “Major Jack” feels quasi-theatrical in its classical-oriented dramatics. [B]

TOBIAS HOFFMANN NONET - RETROSPECTIVE (Alessa Records, 2020)

Personnel - Tobias Hoffmann: tenor and soprano saxophones; Stefan Gottfried: alto saxophone; Fabian Rucker: bass clarinet, baritone saxophone; Simon Plotzeneder: trumpet, flugelhorn; Daniel Holzleitner: trombone; Christopher Pawluk: guitar; Philipp Nykrin: piano; Andreas Waelti: bass; Michael Prowaznik: drums.

German saxophonist/composer/arranger Tobias Hoffmann explores the nonet format, advertising 10 of his own compositions with moments of orchestral quality, flanked by peripheral details that help coloring the core with a wider palette. A close rhythmic connection is immediately perceived on the opener, “Retrospective”, which indicates contemporary embodiment and metrical defiance. The orchestration feels simultaneously gleeful, optimistic, and ardent, just like on “Happenstances”, but this time around, the soloists, stretching with lush horn fills in the back, can enjoy a gorgeous swinging rhythm. “Fruhlingserwachen” and “Remembrance” feel like quiet oasis when put side by side with high energy numbers such as “Procrastinator”, a favorite that catches your ear with a polychromatic rhythmic drive, horn interactions, and swellheaded melodies, or even “Who’s To Blame”, a self-absorbed swinger. On both pieces it’s hard not to notice the deep sounds and soloing artistry of Fabian Rucker on bass clarinet and baritone saxophone, respectively. Hoffmann excavates sounds with both rigor and freedom, and the instrumentation feels just right for every take. It’s a tuneful waltz that brings the record to a conclusion. [A-]

CHICAGO UNDERGROUND QUARTET - GOOD DAYS (Astral Spirits, 2020)

Personnel - Rob Mazurek: piccolo trumpet, electronics, bells; Jeff Parker: guitar; Josh Johnson: synth bass, organ, piano; Chad Taylor: drums.

The versatile members of the Chicago Underground Quartet have an entrenched ability to surprise whether playing within a relaxed context or on the edge of tonality. The opener, Alan Shorter’s 1969 “Orgasm”, starts off with trumpet and guitar speaking in absolute accordance, dark synth bass and jittery drumming, but ends with experimental guitar chops over a dub, jazzy groove. On the hypnotically paced “Strange Wing”, a 6/4-metered effort penned by Mazurek, the twisty intervals brought in by guitarist Jeff Parker alternate with fine trumpet melodies. The trumpeter interweaves anthemic lines and brusque serpentine stretches on the percussive “All the Bells”, and if Chad Taylor’s “Batida” sinks into an intoxicated funk layered with ostinatos and polyphony, his prog-rock-ish “Westview” has a feverish urban feel adorned with odd-metered passages. “Good Days (For Lee Anne)” and “Unique Spiral” inhabit different worlds - the former is a ballad lulled by guitar tremolos and understated brushwork, while the latter, following a more geometric linearity, embraces a danceable rocking pulsation. Good Days marks a very strong return of a formidable quartet. [A-]

Webber / Morris Big Band - Both Are True

March 27, 2020

Label: Greenleaf Music, 2020

Personnel - Anna Webber: conductor, tenor sax, flute; Angela Morris: conductor, tenor sax, flute; Charlotte Greve: alto sax, clarinet; Jay Rattman: alto and soprano saxes, flute; Adam Schneit: tenor sax, clarinet: Lisa Parrott: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Adam O’Farrill: trumpet; John Lake: trumpet; Jake Henry: trumpet; Kenny Warren: trumpet; Tim Vaughn: trombone; Nick Grinder: trombone; Jen Baker: trombone; Reginald Chapman: bass trombone; Dustin Carlson: guitar; Patricia Brennan: vibraphone; Marc Hannaford: piano; Adam Hopkins: bass; Jeff Davis: drums.

The big band project co-led by saxophonists/composers Anna Webber and Angela Morris was launched five years ago, but the bandleaders only now are dropping its debut release, Both Are True. The cohesive 19-piece ensemble includes some recognized New York-based artists such as trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, saxophonist Charlotte Greve, bassist Adam Hopkins, and drummer Jeff Davis. With respect to the bandleaders, Webber jumped to the frontline of the contemporary scene with her fantastic septet work Clockwise, a favorite of last year, while Morris released Asleep in the Dust, an art book/double CD with her trio TMT in collaboration with visual artist Jerry Birchfield.

The nine tracks on this record, including two short, spontaneous saxophone duets, besides sealed with their signatures as composers, feature them as soloists. Webber performs in Morris’ pieces and vice-versa.

Webber’s “Climbing on Mirrors” shows that nothing here feels stiff but balanced and fluid. A settlement of contrapuntal congruity is offered with several intensities and the rhythmic punctuations fall into places that may cause a vertiginous sensation. Saxophonist Charlotte Greve soloes with unhurried lucidity and the piece, despite decelerating towards the end, rebounds with the drummer’s actions. In the last segment, a vocal chorale provided by all members of the band makes for a wonderful effect.

The Morris-penned title track begins with deep-seated droning sounds, followed by the timbral complexion of saxophones spiraling non-stop. The improvisations - from Jay Rattman on soprano, Webber on tenor, and Patricia Brennan on vibraphone - are mobilized by a strong creative force, and, by the end, Marc Hannaford’s piano arrhythmias bump into the ghostly presence of the horns.

Morris also composed “And It Rolled Right Down” and “Coral”, yet these numbers are retained in a much different order in the way that the former thrives with an Ellingtonian orchestral touch, following a proportioned structure and teeming with the juxtaposed angular measurements from a trio of improvisers - Adam Schneit on clarinet, Reginald Chapman on bass trombone and Jake Henry on trumpet. The latter piece, in turn, escapes the raucousness of other moments, inflicting some purposeful vagueness, but finding firmness in Adam O’Farrill’s discourse.

With “Foggy Valley”, the band ventures through a dark sonic fare, having Morris' wry sax viscosity populating its eerie backdrops.

Webber’s compositional prowess is on display on “Rebonds”, which adheres to a rocking funkiness that serves as a showcase for guitarist Dustin Carlson’s tart sounds, and “Reverses”, which starts off with carefully spaced delimiters immersed in bright tones of light. The tempo rises and the atmosphere heats up meteorically before decaying again into serenity. The words of the finale are by poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.

Integrating written and improvised material in new ways, Webber and Morris take the big band concept into fresh territory. This is an accomplished conjoint effort.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Climbing On Mirrors ► 03 - Both Are True ► 04 - Rebonds

Lakecia Benjamin - Pursuance: The Coltranes

March 25, 2020

Label: Ropeadope, 2020

Personnel - Lakecia Benjamin: alto sax, keyboards; Gary Bartz: alto sax; Greg Osby: alto sax; Steve Wilson: alto sax; Marcus Strickland: bass clarinet; Keyon Harrold: trumpet; Jazzmeia Horn: vocals; Dee Dee Bridgewater: vocals; Georgia Anne Mudrow: vocals; Ricardo Ramos: guitar; Brandee Younger: harp; Sharp Radway: piano; Chris Rob: piano, organ; David Bryant: piano, Rhodes; Marc Cary: piano; Meshell Ndegeocello: bass; Reggie Workman: bass; Lonnie Plaxico: bass; Ron Carter: bass; Darrell Green: drums; and more.

On her new outing, Pursuance: the Coltranes, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin is far from the cosmopolitan sounds of funk and R&B and closer to the spiritual modal jazz. She interprets a collection of 13 tunes by Alice and John Coltrane, all recast through series of dynamic alterations and multiple perspectives rooted in her own beliefs. The album comes equipped with a large cross-generational lineup that includes colossal bassists Reggie Workman and Ron Carter, saxophonist Gary Bartz, violinist Regina Carter, and vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Jazzmeia Horn, among many others.

“Liberia” channels an incredible modal energy, featuring two saxophones in prayer (Benjamin and Bartz), fervent piano voicings, and a strong bass-drums connection. A jubilant swinging infection takes hold of the improvisational section, and an analogous approach is observable on “Syeeda’s Flute Song”, where the happy melody bumps into spacious harmonizations provided by David Bryant’s Fender Rhodes. The bassist here is Ron Carter and the solos belong to Benjamin and trumpeter Keyon Harrold.

Violinist Regina Carter comes to the forefront on “Walk With Me”, solemnly combining her sound with bowed bass before a groove emerges to promote openness, and “Going Home”, which weaves a contemplative path that finds the sweet spot between chamber music (with violin, flute, bass clarinet, and the harp sweeps of Brandee Younger) and gospelized spiritual.

An African-tinged pulse and key-shifting melody mark the soothing “Prema”, while, in a reverse direction, “Central Park West” is given a soul/funky treatment, brandishing a whirling piano motif at the core of its A section. The scat singing featured on the latter is by the illustrious Jazzmeia Horn, who is heard volleying with the bandleader by the end. Another guest singer to appear on the recording is Dee Dee Bridgewater, whose terrific blend of technique and emotion eulogizes the spectacular “Acknowledgement”, here beautifully introduced by the pacific waves of “Alabama”.

Both written by Alice, “Om Shanti” and “Turiya and Ramakrishna” are mantric exercises holding an optimal amount of emotional meaning. The former is professed with the vocal energy of Georgia Anne Mudrow, a popping electric bass groove supplied by Meshell Ndegeocello, and Ricardo Ramos’ distorted guitar; the latter piece is sensitively brushed throughout its insistent circularity. In a distinct note, “Affinity” closes out the album with a polyrhythmic, at times free-ish ramble that counts on Workman’s sturdy bass lines and saxophonist Greg Osby’s smart obliquities to succeed.

Benjamin was a rigorous apprentice of the Coltrane-isms, but don’t think this is a by-the-numbers rip-off of the pair’s art, since she inducts a lot of her own ideas into the mix.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Liberia ► 03 - Central Park West ► 12 - Turiya and Ramakrishna

Avishai Cohen - Big Vicious

March 24, 2020

Label: ECM Records, 2020

Personnel - Avishai Cohen: trumpet, effects, synthesizer; Uzi Ramirez: guitar; Yonatan Albalak: guitar, bass; Aviv Cohen: drums; Ziv Ravitz: drums, live sampling.

Trumpeter/composer Avishai Cohen gives another solid step toward innovation with the consistent group he formed six years ago, after moving back from the US to his native Israel. The eclectic album, Big Vicious, is the successor to the duo recording Playing The Room and marks his fourth outing on the reliable ECM imprint. The electro-acoustic ensemble, which includes two drummers, delivers a program of nine originals and two covers. Despite their backgrounds in jazz, these open-minded artists experiment with different sonic flavors and the outcome is more than satisfactory.

The album was recorded in the Tel Aviv studio of musician/producer Yuvi Havkin, known in the artistic world as Rejoicer. He collaborated with the group in the writing of three of the 11 pieces - they are “Honey Fountain”, whose suave electronic vibes stress a trance-like bass in plain communion with the drums, with softly sculpted trumpet melodies soaring together with a spacious, effect-drenched guitar; “Fractals”, whose moody electronic experiments threaten to end up in a trippy techno party; and “Teno Neno”, a well-designed shapeshifter that involves phaser-effect washes, suspensions, and an unhurried beat. Speaking of beat, “This Time It’s Different” has that funkified clubjazz groove that makes you wanna jump.

Avishai, alone, penned four tunes and his penchant for the rock genre is on display in pieces such as “Hidden Chamber”, where you can picture a crossing between the goth rock of The Cure and the cool jazz of Miles Davis; and “King Kutner”, whose punkish feel, in salutation to The Pixies, is cemented with Ramirez’s subversive guitar chops - sometimes rugged, sometimes bluesy. In turn, “The Things You Tell Me” relies on a layered art rock bolstered with folk connotations à-la Robert Wyatt, while the dreamy “Intent” haunts the listener with mysterious ambient textures.

“The Cow & The Calf” boasts some of the trip-hop charisma of Portishead and a strong singable chorus, but stays one step behind of the incredible rendition of Massive Attack’s hit “Teardrop”. The group also probes ways of bringing new light into Beethoven’s classical music by dissecting his “Moonlight Sonata” according to their own methods.

Revealing himself a musical chameleon, Avishai Cohen deserves acclaim for this exciting work.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Hidden Chamber ► 06 - Teardrop ► 10 - The Cow & The Calf

Jure Pukl - Broken Circles

March 22, 2020

Label: Whirlwind Recordings, 2020

Personnel - Jure Pukl: tenor and soprano saxophones; Charles Altura: guitar; Joel Ross: vibraphone; Matt Brewer: bass; Kweku Sumbry: drums.

With Broken Circles, Slevenian-born, New York-based saxophonist Jure Pukl floats along on the waves of self-awareness and optimism, issuing a call for action on the sociopolitical and environmental predicaments that our world is facing lately. His third recording for the London label Whirlwind Recordings, features the talents of guitarist Charles Altura, vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Kweku Sumbry.

This record comprises compositions that allow him to fly with freedom and, simultaneously, take full advantage of his bandmates’ musical skills. The opener, “Sustained Optimism”, is among the most prominent pieces on the album, moving with well-oiled sophistication and shifting meters, and indulging in relatively complex rhythmic detail. The bandleader shows off a big-toned tenor sound, hewing closer to the steeply accented, fragmented, and often patterned free styles of Steve Lehman and Mark Shim; the prodigious Joel Ross proves to be an insightful melodic runner, while Altura tips into frenetic territory in the last segment, time when Sumbry’s actions lead to intensification. The lively title track also reveals this welcome sense of openness, finding a fine balance between sturdiness and flexibility.

Both revealing balladic qualities, “Separation” and “Compassion” carry noble intentions. The former, inspired by the recent US/Mexican border issues, discards fragility for a sturdier posture with the melody following a gracious cadence; for its part, the latter, which was previously included in Pukl’s quartet work, Doubtless, is a mainstream-friendly tone poem using Chilean kalimba, soprano saxophone, and brushed drums. The good vibes come naturally attached to its main theme, but a pinnacle point is reached when Ross unleashes a beautiful solo cooked up with impressive maturity and confidence.

Pukl plays soprano once gain on the closing piece, “Sky is the Limit”, and is heard on bass clarinet on “Gloomy Sunday”, a 1930s Hungarian tune that stabilizes over Sumbry’s cymbal splendor and snare articulacy.

Bright in tone, “Triumph of Society” features stylishly crafted sax/vibes conversations during which bass and drums adhere to a hearty swinging activity; it then throbs with bouncy percussive propagations and lofty guitaristic eloquence. The scintillating “Half Past Five”, impeccably announced by Brewer’s minute-and-a-half stream of consciousness, is infused with a delightful contemporary aesthetic that results from the combination of colorful harmonic progressions and a delightful groove in 11/8 meter.

The music in Broken Circles reflects Pukl's virtuosic prowess both as a composer and performer. His work has evolved in exciting ways and the 11 originals presented here couldn’t have been shaped with more character and life.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Sustained Optimism ► 04 - Compassion ► 09 - Half Past Five

Liberty Ellman - Last Desert

March 19, 2020

Label: Pi Recordings, 2020

Personnel - Liberty Ellman: guitar; Steve Lehman: alto saxophone; Jonathan Finlayson: trumpet; Jose Davila: tuba; Stephan Crump: bass; Damion Reid: drums.

Guitarist/composer Liberty Ellman keeps trailing a path of glory in modern jazz with his unorthodox approach to music. An indispensable member of Henry Threadgill’s Zooid and Myra Melford’s Snowy Egret, Ellman is no less impressive when leading his own projects. A major step forward in his career is taken with Last Desert, his sixth outing, whose title refers to the world's leading endurance footrace known as the 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series. Here, Ellman amazes us at every turn in the company of the same dream sextet that had recorded Radiate five years ago - alto saxophonist Steve Lehman, trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson, tuba player Jose Davila, bassist Stephan Crump, and drummer Damion Reid.

The album opens with “The Sip”, a composition where a musing guitar narrative repeats with clever instrumental fillings in the back. The mood is both relaxing and involving, inviting us to float in the infinity of the space. Finlayson and Lehman show their contemplative side, while Davila and Crump hold to the ground with resolute weighty notes that collude while sinking deep into the Earth.

“Last Desert I” gives Finlayson the melodic lead, and he opts for a simple, effective way to move around, enjoying sax and tuba in sympathetic support. In a first instance, Ellman punctuates discreetly over a suspended scenario, but the ideas gain extra dimension and exquisite harmonic color after Crump and Reid lay down a groovy rhythmic avenue that invites him to stroll along. Finlayson brings an oddly swinging irreverence, seeing the tail of his impetuous solo being caught by backing unisons, right before the final statement is declared. After an atmospheric start, “Last Desert II” enforces a pedal-like groove that inspires Lehman to wrap his dazzling phrasing in an alluring timbral variety. Subsequently, is Davila who stretches out unaccompanied for a while, prior to be joined by trumpet and a sweet, viscous funk-rock groove.

The infectious, bouncing bass lines heard in the previously described piece also take effect on “Doppler”, where the relentless staccato texture admits counterpoint and parallelism alike. The energy expands in connection with hooky solo turns from guitar, sax, and trumpet.

On “Rubber Flowers”, the group keeps the momentum flowing after a sturdy head filled with punctilious parallel lines. The bandleader exchanges fresh ideas with Lehman, but while the former attains a cerebral angularity in his tasteful aesthetic, the latter pours out searing lines built with intervallic awe. Following Finlayson’s speech, there is still time for Reid to magnify procedures in a vamp.

“Liquid” is an essential element in this ambitious desert journey. It makes for a beautiful conclusion, with Ellman showing off his soloing genius before the tune veers into an accessible pop-like passage comprised of dulcet chord voicings.

All instruments find the right place where to live, and they blend so well together that it’s hard to stop listening. More often than not, this advanced music informed by an amalgamation of jazz, funk, and avant-garde styles, relies on grooves set with intricate glossiness and off-centered abandon.

Ellman keeps pushing against conventions with his daring artistry, and we thank him for that.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Sip ► 03 - Last Desert II ► 07 - Liquid

Tim Berne's Snakeoil - The Fantastic Mrs. 10

March 18, 2020

Label: Intakt Records, 2020

Personnel - Tim Berne: alto saxophone; Oscar Noriega: clarinet, bass clarinet; Marc Ducret: guitars; Matt Mitchell: piano, modular synth; Ches Smith: drums, vibraphone, glockenspiel.

Making its debut on the Swiss-based imprint Intakt Records, Tim Berne's Snakeoil never looked as cohesive, exciting, and spellbinding as now. Their sixth outing, The Fantastic Mrs. 10, manifests the same appetite for experimentation and freshness, tossing the listeners into a world of curious, organic sounds that stream across ingeniously generated structures. Berne launched the group in 2012 as a quartet - with multi-reedist Oscar Noriega, pianist Matt Mitchell, and drummer/vibraphonist Ches Smith - but added an extra layer of complexity with the guitar of Ryan Ferreira. The difference here is that it’s Marc Ducret, Berne’s long-time collaborator in projects such as Caos Totale, Bloodcount and Big Satan, who fills the position, fulfilling his duties with brilliancy.

The title track opens the record with that stylishly thought-out angularity that characterizes the bandleader's approach, in anticipation of an infectious theme statement that feature him in unison with Mitchell. The rocking rhythm is incredibly gripping, and powerfully expressive improvisations then occur in a variety of settings. Noriega projects his bass clarinet with furious energy; Berne objectively combines sturdy and brittle tones within a predominantly suspended atmosphere that turns into haunting reverie when Ducret’s distorted cries become spasmodic. Mitchell fills and drains with torrential streams of notes before settling in a Jarrett-like chordal work that makes a strong impression on the final statement.

These types of rip-roaring layers can be spotted on other provocative tunes, and the 14-minute “Third Option” appears at the top of the list. In this case, Berne and Noriega trade off jagged punctuations, eventually agreeing on an extended melody connectedness with Mitchell and Smith already on board. I’m sure you’ll enjoy guitar explorations in a dark hued context, insouciant piano outpours backed by active percussion and screeched guitar chops, searing saxophone clamors walled in dreamy yet intriguing auras, and subtle murmuring vibes.

Introduced by glockenspiel, “Rolo” is another serious case, exhibiting sinuous, sloped and tangential courses filled with effective adjustments in rhythm and dramatic variations in mood. Besides Berne, who excels in his fragmented phraseology, Smith’s percussive wizardry comes to prominence.

“Surface Noise” initially revolves around an abstract piano/glockenspiel quiescence until Berne’s urgent lines attract everything to the center. Collaborating closely, Ducret and Noriega lend their peculiar stylings to the piece, which probes an atmospheric tone quality prior to fixate in harmonic cycles with sparkling hi-hat activity and linear saxophone onslaughts.

Immersed in sheer beauty, the sensitive “Dear Friend” by Julius Hemphill is the only composition on the album that Berne didn’t compose, and guitarist/producer David Torn is credited for the electronic arrangement on the folk-imbued closing number, “Rose Colored Assive”.

Rarely an avant-jazz album possesses this unstoppable energy and fascination straight down the line. This is absolutely my favorite Snakeoil work; an essential pick for adherents of addictive modern jazz.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Fantastic Mrs.10 ► 03 - Rolo ► 06 - Third Option

Wolfgang Muthspiel - Angular Blues

March 17, 2020

Label: ECM Records, 2020

Personnel - Wolfgang Muthspiel: guitar; Scott Colley: bass; Brian Blade: drums.

Austrian jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel first came to prominence as a leader in the 1990’s with albums that featured giants such as John Patitucci, George Garzone, Tom Harrell, Peter Erskine, Marc Johnson, and Paul Motian, among others.

Lately, under the seal of the ECM Records, he has been exploring mostly original compositions in the quintet and trio formats. And it was exactly in the latter configuration that Angular Blues was shaped, a sonically pleasant recording that relies on the rhythmic elegance of bassist Scott Colley and drummer Brian Blade. If the drummer is a regular partner, the bassist replaces Larry Grenadier and gives his first contribution to a project by Muthspiel. But let me tell you, he reacts with the intimacy of a family member.

Colley’s improvisatory imagination brings groove and emotion to the title cut, a rhythmically intricate and complexly patterned blues that, after all, sounds more cohesive than jagged, while on the opening track, “Wondering”, he expresses the theme statement with poise. The narrative here develops in a 5/4 meter signature, with Muthspiel weaving delicate guitar textures and delivering a limpid acoustic guitar solo.

Like the previously cited pieces, the spacious, affectionately brushed folk ballad “Huttengriffe” is plucked and strummed on the acoustic guitar, whereas “Camino” benefits from electric sounds, offering an intriguing, reflective, and somewhat poignant experience. At odds with this thoughtful and literate mood, “Ride” is a frisky bebop infusion with shades of Barney Kessell and Joe Pass. Also dwelling in a more traditional realm are the standards “I’ll Remember April” and “Everything I Love”. The latter, a Cole Porter song, is rendered with unambiguous rhythmic ideas, also showing off trade eights between the soloists and Blade in addition to notable improvisations from guitar and bass.

My favorite piece on the album is “Kanon in 6/8”, which puts the triumvirate’s quick-witted communication on display. They go full steam ahead, applying cascading designs and a pliant rhythmic control, in a piece that also highlights the bandleader’s superb harmonic qualities and soloing dexterity, here with a modest tendency for rock. There’s also a solo classical-like version of this piece in 5/4, expressed with an improvisatory flair and where a sense of calm pervades.

Muthspiel’s new trio effort is simultaneously refreshing and comforting.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Angular Blues ► 06 - Everything I Love ► 07 - Kanon in 6/8

Christian McBride - The Movement Revisited

March 12, 2020

Label: Mack Avenue, 2020

Personnel Big Band - Christian McBride: bass; Steve Wilson: alto sax, flute; Todd Bashore: alto sax ; Ron Blake: tenor and soprano saxes; Loren Schoenberg: tenor sax ; Carl Maraghi: baritone sax; Michael Dease: trombone; Steve Davis: trombone; James Burton: trombone; Doug Purviance: bass trombone; Lew Soloff: trumpet; Ron Tooley: trumpet; Frank Greene: trumpet; Freddie Hendrix: trumpet; Darryl Shaw: trumpet; Warren Wolf: vibraphone, tambourine, timpani; Geoffrey Keezer: piano; Terreon Gully: drums + Alicia Olatuja: vocals; J.D. Steele: vocals + choir Voices Of The Flame.

The Movement Revisited, the newest opus of first-class bassist/composer/arranger Christian McBride, is an important African American manifesto that takes the form of a five-part suite focused on four indelible figures of the Civil Rights Movement - Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Muhammad Ali. The bassist gathered an 18-piece band that includes vibrant soloists, a great choral team led by soul/gospel singer JD Steele, and four skilled speakers, who profess the words of each protagonist with passion. In addition to these four activists, the last track on the album, “Apotheosis: November 4th, 2008” acknowledges Barack Obama, the first African American President of the US, as the fifth element. This particular piece is launched with a reflective classical-like intonation and then blossoms with more vivid colors once McBride tosses in a well-balanced bluesy, rock n’ rollish vibe that completely defines the harmonic progression.

The opener, “Overture/The Movement Revisited”, appeals to unity by sequencing spoken word that confronts darkness and light, hate and love. It covers a handful of crucial topics such as violence, fear, freedom, religion, justice, war, and equality. After the wise words, it’s the bandleader’s dancing bass lines that not only encourage the invigorating swinging rhythm imposed, but also substantiates scorching solos from saxophone and piano.

“Sister Rosa - Prologue” describes the Montgomery bus boycott with the benefit of Sonia Sanchez’s dramatic description and a resolute, sometimes spiritual interplay between bass, flute, and percussion. The soulful tones of “Sister Rosa” flutter in the air, resulting from a wise arrangement that incorporates impactful melodies, influential choir singing, and great improvisations from Ron Blake on soprano saxophone, Warren Wolf on vibraphone and Geoffrey Keezer on piano. Also headed by a prologue, which in the case comes underpinned by slick bass slides and bends, “Brother Malcolm” is a musical prayer that complements the human rights activist’s deeds. It features singer Alicia Olatuja as well as Blake’s spiritual tenor calls over a modal piano accompaniment. On the other hand, on “Ali Speaks”, we have drummer Terreon Gully, alone, emphasizing rhythmic punctuation in response to Dion Graham’s cadenced words.

Both “A View From the Mountaintop” and “Rumble in the Jungle” mix jazz, soul, and gospel, featuring the lead vocals of JD Steele and the gospel choir Voices of Flame, which he leads. The latter piece has Carl Maraghi’s baritone sharing the groove with McBride, and its infectious rhythm supports a buoyant conversation between saxophones, which arrives with plenty of in-and-out crusades.

The splendor of the music sides with the force of the words in a powerful and personal musical statement that envisions to alert the world for essential principles. This is the third big band recording for McBride.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Overture/The Movement Revisited ► 03 - Sister Rosa ► 09 - Rumble in the Jungle

Ernesto Cervini - Tetrahedron

March 11, 2020

Label: Anzic Records, 2020

Personnel - Luis Deniz: alto saxophone; Nir Felder: guitar; Rich Brown: electric bass; Ernesto Cervini: drums.

For his sixth Anzic outing, Canadian drummer Ernesto Cervini gathers a thrilling new quartet in which to hear his talents. Its members are alto saxophonist Luis Deniz, bassist Rich Brown, and New York-based guitarist Nir Felder. Produced by Cervini and Toronto bassist Dan Fortin, Tetrahedron embodies a stylistically diversified song lineup of both originals and covers.

And the group starts off with the right foot, delivering a loose-limbed rendition of the famous standard “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”, here beautifully introduced by the dark/light contrasts of the electric bass, and then uplifted with a partly dub, partly free funk groove over which guitar and sax pinpoint their communicative interplay. The main statement, swaggeringly professed at the end, exhibits some rhythmic nuances.

Apart from the bandleader, who brought in four self-penned compositions, Brown was the only member of the quartet to contribute an original. His “Forward Motion”provides great moments, maturing into a hype jazz bass figure that feeds the gravity, after an inception that demonstrates Felder’s guitaristic elasticity over drums. Cervini and Brown then fixate on a straightforward swinging routine while Deniz disseminates his joie de vivre with a frantic sax romp. The drummer also stretches here and the guitar work is as efficient as on the quieter “Angelicus”, a workpiece taken from the rich repertoire of arranger/composer/conductor Vince Mendoza. This version arrives to our ears impregnated with erudite classical innuendos and folk-like melodies.

Cervini’s compositions brim with energy, and if “Boo Radley”, composed for the reclusive character of To Kill a Mockingbird, feels like a personal interpretation of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” with a nod to jazz fusion, then “Stro”, a minor blues dedicated to the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman, straddles the musical worlds of The Lounge Lizards and Steve Coleman, sources of an artsy punk-ish jazz and M-base movements, respectively. Also, the closer “The Sneaky Two”, another groove-oriented procedure, soars high with outgoing statements from guitar, sax, and bass.

To further enrich the stylistic diversity, Bunky Green’s “Summit Song” evokes a bunch of jazz giants with its strong hard-bop flavors.

Cervini has a fearless attitude toward sound, and even with strong inspirations stemming from the past, he is not afraid to plunge into new ideas. This group proves to be a splendid match and the music selection fits their purpose.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Softly As In a Morning Sunrise ► 02 - Forward Motion ► 08 - The Sneaky Two

Pat Metheny - From This Place

March 10, 2020

Label: Nonesuch Records, 2020

Personnel - Pat Metheny: guitar; Gwilym Simcock: piano; Linda May Han Oh: bass; Antonio Sanchez: drums + guests Gregoire Maret: harmonica; Meshell Ndegeocello: vocals; Luis Conte: percussion.

Four years after releasing the double-disc CD The Unity Sessions, guitar phenomenon Pat Metheny is back to his eclectic, fully persuasive sonic environments with a new album, From This Place. The program consists of 10 deftly written originals that reflect Metheny's refined musicianship, and is carried out alongside his new working quartet - with young British pianist Gwilym Simcock, Malaysian/Australian bassist Linda May Han Oh, and Mexican/American drummer Antonio Sanchez. Their sound kept evolving throughout the years they’ve been touring together, and the bandleader broadens his vivid palette with brilliant symphonic arrangements written by Alan Broadbent and Gil Goldstein and performed by the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Joel McNeely.

In a 13-minute ride, “America Undefined” makes for an epic opening statement in a glaring illustration of the way Metheny thinks musically. After a plaintive introduction designed with the cello at the center, the guitarist interlaces his admirably clear sound with Simcock’s piano, and the tune leaves that initially saddened state of mind behind. While the latter pushes the rhythm section forward as he improvises, Metheny then soothes the way with a transparent, elevated language that evokes tranquil landscapes. After passing those quiet zones, a crescendo bursts into fullness before landing on a bass pedal, axis of an atmospheric orchestration. For completion, a rocking rhythm gives a special thrill to the spectacular final section.

“Wide and Far” is an inspired effort with a straight eight feel and emotional gravity. The bass sits in an irresistible groove adequately supported by the drummer, but shifting in nature and tempo at particular passages. Populated by warm and soulful tones, this piece has a similar narrative vibe of that presented on the album We Live Here (1995), and this impression is transferred to “Same River”, a 3/4-metered piece propelled by an unfailing contemporary pop rhythm and designed with multiple guitar effects. Also waltzing, but with a romantic touch, “You Are” relies on a chordal chain that keeps moving in sequence. Although adhering to this circuitousness, the band sees Sanchez expanding the steady rhythmic bed with his grandiose drumming. By the end, the tune is gussied up by atmospheric vocal effects.

Whereas “Everything Explained” (the only piece with orchestral arrangement by Metheny) sounds very rootsy and folkish, “Pathmaker” nearly touches the Brazilian jazz idiom in its immersive crossover genre. In turn, the title track is a pop ballad prone to film scoring. Conveying disappointment but also hope in a better future, this piece was composed in the morning after Trump’s election and features lyrics by Alison Riley sung by her partner Meshell Ndegeocello.

Metheny brings richness to another couple of ballads. Both “The Past in Us” and “Love May Take a While” are introspectively brushed by Sanchez, but if the former piece spotlights the heart-breaking melodies of guest harmonicist Gregoire Maret, the latter is illuminated by the top-of-the-heap sensibilities of the guitarist, imparting a classic bolero feel right before its conclusion.

Conceived with perspective, developed with maturity, and sparkling with effulgence, this journey takes us to places worth visiting.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - America Undefined ► 02 - Wide and Far ► 03 - You Are

Bartosz Hadala Group - Three Short Stories

March 9, 2020

Label: Self Released, 2020

Personnel - Bartosz Hadala: piano, Fender Rhodes; Luis Deniz: alto saxophone; Eric St-Laurent: guitar; Brad Cheeseman: electric bass; Marito Marques: drums, percussion + Kelly Jefferson: soprano saxophone; Michael Manring: bass guitar; João Frade: accordion.

Polish-Canadian pianist Bartosz Hadala moved from New York City to Toronto in 2010. His most prominent recording happened that year, when he put together The Runner Up with an ensemble featuring trumpeter Randy Brecker and drummer Antonio Sanchez. With his latest work, Three Short Stories, he sets another bold move and points to a different direction as his electric group navigates a beguiling mix of styles and tackles 12 original compositions that pay tribute to his hero, the pianist Chick Corea.

“Prologue - Slow To Anger” opens the recording with a mix of quirky chords, arpeggiated ideas and harmonics brought to light by virtuosic electric bassist Michael Manring. This exquisite overture almost serves as an intro to “True North X”, an inceptive funk-Latin stew that steeps further into jazz fusion when adding classic rock suggestions to the mix. Explicit in his improvisation, Hadala gives rise to both counterpoint and unisons in the company of guitarist Eric St-Laurent. By the end, the latter also gets to interact with altoist Luis Deniz.

“Once Upon a Time” and its associated “Epilogue” are harmonically designed with Fender Rhodes, but while the former adds bluesy and funky tones to its post-bop essence and turns the spotlight to soprano saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, the latter is romanticized with João Frade’s accordion on one hand, and stimulated by the reggae-ish pulsation in the guitar accompaniment, on the other. Everything works over a smooth jazz-funk substratum.

“Itsy Bitsy Spider Blues” somehow reminded me of the witty musicality shared by Carla Bley and Steve Swallow. In turn, the title track falls into a crossover jazz that passes through danceable, breezy, and Eastern-tinged territories. It ends as it started, in a style evocative of David Sanborn.

“Monk’s Unfinished Symphony” echoes a few recognizable tics of the iconic pianist referred in the title, but it is “EST”, with its well-coordinated rhythmic and genre-defying interpolations, that resonates higher. With less collisions and incidents, “Longing” and “Slow to Anger” rely on calmer, sweet-lead melodies that didn’t make them look more attractive as other pieces on the album.

Hadala is a courageous pianist, whose music includes plenty of color. I see this kaleidoscopic musical universe as a natural reflection of his open-mindedness.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Prologue - Slow to Anger ► 02 - True North X ► 07 - EST

Engin Ozsahin - Sequence of Emotions

March 5, 2020

Label: Self produced, 2020

Personnel - Engin Ozsahin: piano; Jacob Shulman: tenor saxophone; Aaron Dutton alto saxophone; Bobby Lane: trumpet; Seajun Kwon: bass; Charlie Weller: drums.

Originally hailing from Istanbul and now residing in Boston, pianist Engin Ozsahin drew inspiration from the bold decision of radically changing careers at the age 29 to compose his debut album, Sequence of Emotions. His passion and flair for music making led him to cut ties with a steady engineering job and enroll in the New England Conservatory in Boston. The nine song collection presented here took into consideration the whirl of emotions associated with different phases of that challenging process. Musically, the pianist was able to create a synergistic environment in the company of a functional sextet of young talents that includes saxophonists Jacob Shulman and Aaron Dutton on tenor and alto, respectively, Bobby Lane on trumpet, Seajun Kwon on bass, and Charlie Weller on drums.

More even-tempered than stirring, “Cease To Be a Part of It” serves as a sort of intro to “Day Dreamer", which keeps flowing in a 3/4 meter signature and corroborates the solid horn alliance with bright unisons and scarce polyphony. The soloists here are Ozsahin, who navigates through delicate textural waves, and Lane, who initially speaks over a settled percussive tapestry.

Tunes such as “What If” and “Instincts” denote a fantastic sense of dynamics and interplay. The former starts off with a blue trumpet discourse supported by Kwon’s inspired bass notes, and then segues into a passage where staccato full-hand chords on the piano give it the intended locomotion. A stark contrast is created when the two saxophonists pair up in an unaccompanied ride that later welcomes swirling piano movements. The piece then evolves into an avant-garde crescendo that allows emotions to flow freely. A different perspective, more traditionally swinging is offered on “Instincts”, whose scrumptious arrangement embodies a relentless bass pedal setting the pace, attractive melody, and improvisations from piano and alto sax.

Whereas “Partimento” is a showcase for Shulman’s dark-hued soloing prowess, here consistently backed by a thick cluster-filled piano comping and a shuffling rhythm, “Teeter Totter Circus” is an Andrew Hill-esque ballad with suspended ambiances and free horn forays that exalt it into a wider dimension. Both tunes feel epic.

With “In New Grounds”, the group seemed inclined to finish the record on a tender note, but the music grows in intensity, especially during the soloists’ spontaneous expressions.

Ozsahin composes with intelligence and his voice rings out clearly and promisingly.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Day Dreamer ► 04 - Teeter Totter Circus ► 06 - Partimento

Kenny Barron / Dave Holland Trio - Without Deception

March 4, 2020

Label: Dare2 Records

Personnel - Kenny Barron: piano; Dave Holland: bass; Johnathan Blake: drums.

kenny-barron-dave-holland-trio-without-eception .jpg

Pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Dave Holland have covered a vast amount of sonic terrain throughout their brilliant careers. On Without Deception, they co-lead a trio that includes the spectacular drummer Johnathan Blake, pairing versatility and musicianship in a collection of originals and shrewdly chosen covers that feels like an expansion of their conversational duo album The Art of Conversation (Impulse! Records, 2014).

Barron-penned “Porto Alegre” opens the album with a lovely bossa groove that relies on Blake’s hot snare tones to make the rhythm even more attractive. Besides revealing a strong unity, the three musicians enchant with personal statements abundant in rich idioms. Carrying something of Jobim, “Until Then” offers another alluring canvas painted with elegant bossa nova colors, while on the title track and “Speed Trap”, also written by Barron, the trio delivers the goods with a different posture. While the former is a winsome 12-bar blues with plenty of blue notes and feel-good trading fours, the latter connects bass and drums in a spiraling swinging verve, and channels streams of cascading piano notes through it. Barron’s flagrant rhythmic figures easily evolve into smart lines that prompt the drummer to respond, and Holland employs irresistible slides and wise interval hops to complement his forward-moving pizzicato.

The post-bop lyricism evinced on Mulgrew Miller’s “Second Thoughts” made me think of that special vibe found on Barron’s staggering album Scratch (Enja, 1985), released 35 years ago and on which Holland also performed.

Though “Secret Places” waltzes with the poignancy of Bill Evans, it develops with the tender touch of Barron, differing from the groove-centric irreverence of “Pass It On”, a composition by Holland that first saw the light of day on his 2008 sextet album of the same name. Showing off his monster technique, the bassist is both the glue that holds everything together and the booster this music needs to flow ahead. Blake’s terrific wallops and Barron’s linear tangents contribute to the positive effect.

The renditions of Duke Ellington’s “Warm Valley” and Thelonious Monk’s “Worry Later” head straight for their original musical splendor, but the trio garnishes them with their personal traits.

Maturity armors the three vertices of this stretchable musical triangle.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Porto Alegre ► 02 - Second Thoughts ► 07 - Pass It On

Jeff Parker - Suite For Max Brown

March 3, 2020

Label: International Anthem / Nonesuch, 2020

Personnel - Jeff Parker: guitar, synth, drums, piano, percussion, glockenspiel, sampling, mbira, vocals; Josh Johnson: alto sax, electric piano; Rob Mazurek: piccolo trumpet; Nate Walcott: trumpet; Paul Bryan: bass guitar; Jamire Williams: drums; Makaya McCraven: drums; Jay Bellerose: drums, percussion; Ruby Parker: vocals; Katinka Kleijn: cello.

Jeff Parker is an extremely versatile guitarist who gained notoriety in experimental groups such as Tortoise, Isotope 217, and Chicago Underground Quartet.

On his newest album as a leader, Suite For Max Brown, he reconvenes The New Breed group to homage his mother, at the same time that looks into ways to surprise the listener by fusing contemporary music approaches (there is an adequate spectrum of beats and samples) with the classic jazz artistries of John Coltrane and Joe Henderson, here represented by renditions of their “After The Rain” and “Black Narcissus” (renamed to “Gnarciss”), respectively. The former piece, delivered in the standard guitar-piano-bass-drums format, fully embraces contemplation, while the latter flows at a faster tempo with a hip-hop vibe, featuring Makaya McCraven on the drums and Rob Mazurek on piccolo trumpet. These two numbers, together with the closer, “Max Brown”, rely on relatively larger ensembles, while the rest of the tracks features Parker performing in essentially solo and duo configurations (he handles multiple synthesizers, piano, samplers, drums and percussion, glockenspiel, midi programming, as well as vocals in several different contexts).

“Build a Nest”, for example, is vocally layered in the company of his 17-year-old daughter Ruby Parker. On “Del Rio”, he teams up with electric bassist Paul Bryan to set an African-tinged atmosphere composed of monochromatic mbira patterns, gooey bass lines and a trancy beat. “3 For L” is an improvised jazz piece in 3/4 time, charged with translucent shades of soul. It's another duet, this time with drummer Jay Bellerose.

Both “Fusion Swirl”, a solo exertion, and “Go Away”, shaped in classic guitar trio with Bryan and McCraven, denote an unyielding funk circularity. The former tries out a danceable electronica outfit before remaining in a sort of mantric mode until folk melodies populate the concluding segment; the latter piece, instead, comes rhythmically charged like an African dance/chant.

Parker continues to probe sounds with feeling, plunging into diverse sonic milieus with that same intent for innovation that marked his previous works.

Favorite Tracks:
06 - Gnarciss ► 09 - 3 for L ► 11 - Max Brown

Flash Reviews - Geometry / Max Light Trio / Makaya McCraven

March 2, 2020

GEOMETRY - GEOMETRY OF DISTANCE (Relative Pitch, 2019)

Personnel - Kyoko Kitamura: vocals; Taylor Ho Bynum: cornet; Joe Morris: guitar; Tomeka Reid: cello. .

Geometry, a quartet of committed improvisers, releases its sophomore album, Geometry of Distance, on the Relative Pitch label. The intricate synthesis of sound on this record is utterly experimental, expanding and contracting without previous warning. Cellist Tomeka Reid and guitarist Joe Morris work diligently on the quirky foundations, weaving atypical contrapuntal grids. In turn, idiosyncratic Japanese vocalist Kyoko Kitamura and American cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum contribute well-adjusted lines, sometimes freely, sometimes embedding their sounds in the surroundings. Atonal guitar chords can be heard on the session’s opener, “Space Chat”, which features Kitamura’s unintelligible language calmly communicated from another planet, and on “Magnificent Desolation”, which flows like a bitterly tragic operetta. This quieter posture contrasts with pieces like “Sun Grazing” and the 16-minute “Bravery’s Consequence”, both brimming with busy activity and excitement. The former piece acquires a digital dialing-tone effect due to Morris’ transformative guitar, whereas the latter builds up an eerie atmosphere with Reid’s slapping cello hops and Kitamura’s unique vocal approach in evidence. The ensemble treads similar ground on “Veil of Imagination”. [B]

MAX LIGHT TRIO - HERPLUSME (Red Piano Records, 2020)

Personnel - Max Light: guitar; Simón Willson: bass; Matt Honor: drums.

Harplusme is the very first artistic statement from American guitarist Max Light. This album triangulates eight of his cerebral compositions and benefits from the competent substructure provided by bassist Simón Willson and drummer Matt Honor. The trio shows a high sense of synchronicity and fluidity on “Boy”, a first-rate command of tempo and patterned textures on “Overcooked”, and an appetence for swinging on “Dog” and “The Things You”, which is an uncompromising take on the standard “All The Things You Are”. Both “Baby’s Hard Times” and “Bagel” revolve around a relentless, laid-back thematic idea and glide on feathery brushes. But while the former flows at a courageous 13/8 signature meter, the latter, partly inspired by Philip Glass, goes through juxtaposed beat cycles with deftness. Delicately harmonized, “Pumpkin Pie” thrives at the sluggish sound of a heart beat, and “Dennisport” closes out the album by nodding to Ben Monder with dexterous guitar fingerpicking and ample morphological vision. In some instances, one might have a weird sensation of minimality, but Light’s compositional efforts are rich in many ways. [B]

MAKAYA McCRAVEN - GIL SCOTT-HERON: WE’RE NEW AGAIN (XL Recordings, 2020)

Personnel includes - Makaya McCraven: drums, percussion, keyboards, bass; Jeff Parker: guitar; Brandee Younger: harp; Greg Spero: piano, synth; Joel Ross: vibraphone; Junius Paul: bass, percussion; Ben LaMar Gay: bells, diddley bow, Fred Jackson: saxophone; and more.

Innovative drummer/producer Makaya McCraven is known for undertaking stylistic cross-genre expeditions with plenty of cool beats, samples and textural insight. His new outing, We’re New Again, is a reimagination of the very personal final work by poet Gil Scott-Heron, whose politically-charged spoken word, singing and spirit are ever-present throughout this 18-track collection. Even pushing the original material into an elaborate cosmopolitanism, the album feels like a rebirth implemented through conscious immersions into R&B (readings of Brook Benton’s “I’ll Take Care of You” and Bill Callahan's “I’m New Here”), hip-hop (with the dynamic “Running”, the syncopated “People of the Light”, and the flute-drenched “Where Did the Night Go”), freeish jazz (“Blessed Parents” bursts with genuine excitement), and traditional blues (while Robert Johnson’s “Me and the Devil” repeats a horn-driven segment that lingers in the head, “The Crutch” is propelled by Jeff Parker's catchy guitar riffs). There’s also this “New York is Killing Me”, a blessed marriage between jazz and blues reinforced by percussive elements and a strong chorus. [B+]

Nick Finzer - Cast of Characters

February 27, 2020

Label: Outside in Music, 2020

Personnel - Nick Finzer: trombone; Lucas Pino: tenor sax, bass clarinet; Glenn Zaleski: piano; Alex Wintz: guitar; Dave Baron: bass; Jimmy Macbride: drums.

Besides an excellent trombonist, Nick Finzer is also a polished composer and a successful entrepreneur. His refined sense of instrumentation is all across this new recording, Cast of Characters, which focuses on the impact left by formative figures in our lives. It’s not only a tribute to mentors (including Wycliffe Gordon and Steve Turre) but also a confirmation of himself as a strong, individual voice in today’s jazz panorama.

The follow-up to the notable Hear & Now (Outside in Music, 2017) includes 14 originals with a flavor of their own and features the same reliable musicians that follow him since the beginning of his career as a leader - multireedist Lucas Pino, pianist Glenn Zaleski, guitarist Alex Wintz, bassist Dave Baron, and drummer Jimmy Macbride.

Zaleski makes an epic solo entrance on “A Sorcerer (is a Myth)”. The cinematic atmosphere is put aside in favor of a sumptuous jazz contour in five. A pedaling bass interlude based on the theme separates the brassy enunciations of Finzer from Pino’s adroit navigations over the undulating chord forms.

“Evolution of…” relies on counterpoint and a relentless piano note that breaks free and expands before segueing into “… Perspective”, its continuation. That one-note recurrence is resumed at the outset of a sonic trip where gooey unisons levitate well above the expressive chordal movements and effervescent rhythm. In contrast, compendious post-bop statements from trombone, guitar, piano and saxophone are set against a blistering, uptempo swinging motion.

“Patience…” is a solo piano introduction to “…Patience”, a ballad into which the combo brings plenty of emotion. You’ll find a beautiful harmonic sequence, temperate brushwork, a fine bass solo, and disciplined impromptu juxtapositions designed by Pino, Finzer, and Wintz.

Other pieces deserving mention are: “Brutus, The Contemporary”, a shapeshifter filled with color and excitement, even when its concentrations fall into lower registers due to the presence of a bass clarinet; the waltzing “Weatherman”, elegantly expressed at a medium-fast tempo; and “The Guru”, which spreads positive vibes through a well-mounted rhythm, sparse and clear unison phrases, and passages bristling with contrapuntal prowess. Also fun was to hear the contrast between “A Duke”, polished with an Ellingtonian penchant for tradition, and “(Take the) Fork in the Road”, which probes a looking-forward rhythm/groove.

Nick Finzer juices up modern mainstream with no excess or gimmick. Simultaneously bracing and soothing, his music is a tonic for the ears, and conveys as much honesty as charm.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - A Sorcerer (is a Myth) ► 03 - …Perspective ► 06 - …Patience

Bobby Previte / Jamie Saft / Nels Cline - Music From the Early 21st Century

February 26, 2020

Label: RareNoise, 2020

Personnel - Bobby Previte: drums; Jamie Saft: Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, MiniMoog; Nels Cline: electric guitar, effects.

The sensational trio of drummer Bobby Previte, keyboardist Jamie Saft, and guitarist Nels Cline fleshes out a collection of 10 spontaneous pieces with conspicuous evocations from the past and many hills and valleys to be explored. Music From the Early 21st Century displays a large number of influences and genres, and you can find the trio experimenting with viscous ambient soundscapes, venturing through alternative hard-rock fare, and creating energetic jazz-rock fusions with unfettered ease.

“Photobomb” starts with guitar noise, muscular drumming, and a spectacular Hammond sound that conjures up the powerful vibes of Deep Purple’s 1972 hit “Highway Star”. This brash rock influence is also found on “Occession”, the longest track on the album at 14 minutes, and there, Cline’s experimental sounds are extended to bright harmonics, pitch-shifting Hendrix-like vibratos, and densely noise freakouts á-la Sonic Youth. This particular tune is slightly sinister in mood, for which Saft's dark drones and Previte's cascading tom-tom work contribute significantly.

While listening to “Paywall”, a darker version of “Roadhouse Blues” by The Doors popped up in my head. This early allusion evolves into the heavier architecture of The Who, but with a raucous organ building its thick walls. It ends with a frantic swinging incursion. “Parkour” seems a continuation of the previous tune, but goes from a noir ambient rock to a controlled noise splash. Previte’s energetic drive is on display. Not just here, but also on the krautrock-tinged “Machine Learning”, an amalgamation of shock-oriented sounds that work amazingly well, and also on “Flash Mob”, a danceable Marilyn Manson-like metal effort with glitchy electronica.

Also percussively rich, “The Extreme Present” is another alternative sonic ride that gradually becomes infected with a blues-soaked energy. If Cline ploughs heavier in his abrasive licks here, then he designs with more controlled detail on “The New Weird”, a psychedelic blues infused with a mix of single-note phrases, octave technique, and perfectly contoured rhythmic shapes. Regardless the beauty of it, it was Saft who delighted me the most through a mesmerizing organ intro shaped with a blend of corporeal and spiritual charismas. That happens way before everything crashes into a last-minute noisy explosion.

While “Totes” emphasizes tone and atmosphere within a loose structure, “Woke” combines the circularity of a typical rock harmonic progression with snare rattles and a fine electronic touch.

The group utilizes instrumentation in powerful ways. You just have to sit back and wait to be petrified by their sounds and energy.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Photobomb ► 06 - Occession ► 07 - The New Weird

U.S.E. Trio - Sideways Circle Live

February 25, 2020

Label: LabelWhoAble, 2019

Personnel - Andrew Urbina: alto saxophone; Sandy Eldred: bass; Matt Scarano: drums.

U.S.E. is an acronym from the last names of the members of an explorative trio that hails from Philadelphia. They are alto saxophonist Andrew Urbina, drummer Matt Scarano, and bassist Sandy Eldred. After releasing Sideways Circle last year on LabelWhoAble, they put out another record, this time recorded live at Plays & Players in Philadelphia, with the exact same compositions of its previous plus two completely improvised pieces. The first of them opens the record with a well-balanced groove, while the second concentrates recurrent rhythmic figures and elliptical phrases within a solid avant-garde sphere.

“Features of a Forgotten Face” displays a beautiful melody over the groovy backbone offered by Eldred and Scarano. The robustness of rock joins the elasticity of jazz, and Urbina patiently builds momentum with a solo driven with sufficient outside detours to keep us on the lookout.

Another highlight, “Groove Suelto” sticks to a medium 3/4 tempo after the fine drum opening. Relaxed melodic contours, unstuffy bass, and the whispering of a brushed snare characterize the tune’s first phase, which later dissolves into an atmospheric passage. In the final stage, the trio retakes the circular waltzing movements, underpinning the infectious energy discharged by Urbina, who shows an admirable command of timbre and extended techniques.

“One Zero Nine” is launched by sax and drums, and their accentuations are later consolidated by the bassist for a cohesive interplay. After a ferocious hard-swinging crusade, there’s a long-standing, well-driven bass stretch, shortly extended to the drums in the concluding segment. The drummer chatters with punctuated nuances on “Stops”, whereas on “The Story About You”, he sticks to cymbal and snare legatos.

Urbina steals the spotlight again, both on the breathable “Minor Major”, where his beseeching and lamenting tones gain stamina with the time, and on “What Did You Think?”, a boisterous electro-rock template over which he unleashes fleet runs, growls and multiphonics with irony and pungency.

Sideways Circle Live overflows with musicality and virtuosity. The only quibble here has to do with the extended length of the solos, but, apart from that, this live recording, naturally less polished than its studio predecessor, benefits from the raw, often groovy tones put forth by this qualified trio.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Features of a Forgotten Face ► 03 - Groove Suelto ► 05 - Minor Major