Any new sounds and directions under the sun? Here are a couple of releases that are reminiscent of the heady days of mid to late 60s Blue Note, when bop was busting out into freedom
Drummer Dan Weiss puts together a seven part collection of sounds that includes the standard piano/bss/drm along with electric/acoustic guitar, brass and reeds and the extra spice of voices, harp and percussion. Lots of artsy ideas pop out all over, with male and female voices comingling with an guitar and outside sounding tenor from Ohad Talmor on “Part Three” while a dark piano reminiscent of Andrew Hill plods along to a cataclysm on “Part One.” Fugue-ish vocals and ethereal voices form an intriguing texture on “Part Two” whle the band sounds like hard rock monsters Deep Purple with some organs and hard hitting drumming on ”Part Four.” No holds are barred here on the mix of freedom, cacophony and freewheeling energy.
Saxist and electronic-titian Steve Lehman also brings together a bit of an unorthodox mix with seven originals and a transcripton of “Parisian Thoroughfare.” The team of Jonatahan Finlayson/tp, Mark Shim/ts, Tim Albright/tb, Chris Dingman/vib, Jose Davila/tuba, Drew Gress/b and Tyshawn Sorey/dr create some kinetic and edgy pieces such as “Segregated and Sequential” and “13 Colors” that brings to mind albums like Bobby Hutcherson’s 1965 Components and 1968 Patterns in that there are intricate lines, vibes and angles with complex harmonies. Things get a bit buzzy on “Autumn Interlude”, yet Albright’s tenor makes some wonderful work with Sorey on “Codes: Brice Wassy” while Lehman and Finlayson soar over the restless percussion on “Glass Enclosure Transcription.” Cerebral and intellectual sounds emitted here.
Pi Recordings