The current generation of bands likes to mix the freedom of earlier eras with sophisticated charts and textures. Here are a pair of releases that show the mix of grey matter and post bop sounds.
The team of Sam Neufeld/tp, Tom Kelley/as-ss, Sean Johnson/ts, Nick Lamb/p, Jon Dadurka/b and Johnathan Hulett/dr bring together rich and intricate modern post bop sounds on this album. The horns coalesce to create some thick and rich textures as on the peppy title track and the hard hitting “(No) Time To Spare” which has Hulett snapping the team to attention. Durduka’s electric bass has some riveting moments as he veers through the traffic during the complex “On and On” while Hulett rumbles with volcanic horns for the sophisticated “Triangles and Circles.” Strong and virule.
Drummer Jeff Williams brings together Goncalo Marquez/tp, John O’Gallagher/as, Josh Arcoleo/ts, Kit Downes/p and Sam Lasserson/b for seven freewheeling originals. The horns, thick in texture, but loose in delivery, give hints of vintage Charles Mingus as they separate and coalesce along the clippety clop of “Dream Visitor” and punch out bluesy jabs during “The Interloper.” O’Gallagher dangles along Lasseson’s bluesy bass line on “Lament” with Arcoleo squawking melancholia during an agonizing “Cancao do Amolador” while Williams directs, guides and coaxes like a traffic cop throughout. Traffic that jams well.