Jun 25 2018
The Round-up: Sometimes, being close is the hardest thing
Here is some very good new music.
David Ake – Humanities (Posi-Tone Records)
It happens quite often on Humanities that a rising intensity becomes a conflagration, and if any attempt at control is being exerted, it has no effect. And yet, despite it all, there’s a moodiness that hangs over the newest from David Ake, and it has the effect of framing hyperactivity as an introspective matter rather than an emotional one. It’s why “Groundwork” possesses the hypnotic effect of burning embers even when its flames reach up to the night sky. It’s why “Stream” etches a path from first note to last even as it pulls apart the bonds that keep it together in a recognizable shape and moving with a concentrated focus. The pianist has a nice history on the Posi-Tone Records label, and can always be relied upon for doing something a little different with a straight-ahead sound. Humanities might be the most enjoyable example of that trend. The pianist is joined by trumpeter Ralph Alessi, guitarist Ben Monder, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Mark Ferber. Music from Miami, Florida.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Amazon
Roger Kim – Portrait Maker (Self-Produced)
I’m not sure this chamber jazz session could be any more gorgeous. Roger Kim‘s large ensemble of strings and wind instruments and voices possess an ethereal presence, but so great is its majesty that the sensation is of clouds that could sweep you off your feet and carry you away. The guitarist (who also adds some banjo to the mix) titles the first track “Franny and Zooey in the Snow,” and the music captures the essence of a lovely winter day surrounded by snowflakes with the same immediacy that it does the resounding innocence clung to by many of J.D. Salinger’s storybook characters. The album clocks in a little under thirty minutes. It’s music that feels like it could go on forever and then suddenly ends too soon. Music from Oakland, CA.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp
Emil Miszk & The Sonic Syndicate – Don’t Hesitate! (Alpaka Records)
The sudden transitions between soothing harmonies and caustic dissonance are quite jarring. But the pattern repeats itself throughout this intriguing session from Emil Miszk & The Sonic Syndicate, and familiarity breeds friendliness. The trumpeter leads an octet comprised half of wind instruments and the other half of guitar, piano, bass and drums. It’s the former that’s most responsible for those lovely harmonic passages and the latter for the edginess. There are moments, however, when the transfer of power between the two achieves a certain balance, a unity of expression, and everything makes sense. An interesting debut. Music from Gdańsk, Poland.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
Attila Gyárfás – Cloud Factory (Sinistra)
There’s a very fun and wild personality exhibited by this debut from Attila Gyárfás. Mixing punk rock, modern jazz and Frisellian effects, the drummer shuffles the deck of tones for atmospheric effect and edgy counterweights to the ambience. He’s joined by the bass and guitar duo of Marco Zenini & Márton Fenyvesi, along with Felician Erlenburg and Jason Alder on wind instruments. In addition to the changes in tone, the spikes of intensity are as thrilling as the peaceful moments are comforting. Just a really neat album, and the kind of thing that really shouldn’t fly under the radar. Not all of you will like this recording, but some of you will fall head over heels for it. Music from Budapest, Hungary
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
Bruno Heinen – Mr. Vertigo (Babel Label)
There’s a distinct personality to the music of Bruno Heinen. Whether it’s an embrace of the music of Karlheinz Stockhausen and Vivaldi or a set of songs that uses the children’s song “Twinkle Twinkle” as their basis or a spin with the Bill Evans songbook, Heinen’s perspective cuts to the heart of the matter. His newest is a solo venture, and it’s particularly intriguing to hear how previous projects filter into a solitary setting. This is especially true of revisiting his Tierkreis project, and how the music box environment falls right into place in the flow of expressionism that marks this set. Music from London.
Artist site | Listen | Buy: Bandcamp – Amazon
Considering how much I despise the original, it’s sort of remarkable what a sucker I am for renditions of the 
Everything about this album screams protest music. To Those Who Walked Before Us has got an attitude of stand up for what’s right, stand up and fight. There’s plenty of different directions a musician can take when giving form to that expression. Certainly an approach of hard-charging, fist-pounding tempos can be the catalyst for an invocation of principles. There’s also an open to go subtle and work with a melancholy, almost mournful tone, where the thoughts of what’s lost are the gentle whispers that cause the people to rise up. The
Jun 27 2018
Recommended: Nolatet – “No Revenge Necessary”
Sometimes it’s an impression from the very start, as on “Homer and Debbie” with its delightful bounce and a melody as welcoming as Christmas lights beckoning through a frosted window. Other times, as on “Malabar,” the personality emerges suddenly from a flurry of rhythmic snowfall. The album has more than a few reminders that the holiday season is perfectly capable of delivering an icy blast, but it’s never long before it’s followed with a comforting warmth. The electric buzz and sizzle of guitar and bass go hand-in-hand with the sunny tones of vibraphone and piano, a complementary relationship beneficial to the best of each their melodic traits.
You really can’t go wrong scooping this one up.
Your album personnel: Mike Dillon (vibraphone), Brian Haas (piano), James Singleton (bass) and Johnny Vidacovich (drums).
Released on Royal Potato Family.
Music from New Orleans, LA.
Available at: Bandcamp | Amazon
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By davesumner • Jazz Recommendations, Jazz Recommendations - 2018 • 0 • Tags: New Orleans (LA), Nolatet, Royal Potato Family