Still releasing exciting and explorative music, Slam Records exhibits freedom of musical expression like few other labels. Here are the latest two:
Paolo Porta leads the usually fiendishly difficult tenor sax trio with aplomb and style. He’s got a warm and furry tone, and uses it to his melodious best with the light on feet team of Alessandro Maiorino/b and Alessandro Minetto/dr. There’s a nimble bop feel on pieces such as “Freedom of Speech” and two Alessandros provide a nice foundation on “November.” The team gets a bit angular, but they stay coherent and cohesive on “Soulful Drums” and glow like fireflies on the ballad “That’ll Do.” Porta delivers a bel canto aria on the intro to “Round Trip” and the team slips into a rich groove on “Raincoat Blues.” Can’t say enough about this one!
Meanwhile the team of Nick Didkovsky/g, Nan-earl P ark/g, Catherine Sikora/ts-ss, and Josh Sinton/bcl mix and match for 70 minutes of 5 songs that at times sound like they’re warming up for an actual recording. The 27 minute “Monopod” drags on for long tenor sax dronngs which finally coalesces into a diversion of paths. Fluffy saxes and chopping guitar4s on the 17 minute “Pleonasm” make you wonder if the musicians are forming a new type of musical Morse Code, while spaces and jabs vie for control on “Flying Rods.” Experiments with pads and mouthpieces on “Hydraphon” lead into a closing “ Stopcock” that almost sounds like a moment of musical musings. Did they know the mic was on?