Chicago

Jan 6 2019

Best of 2018 #37: Tim Daisy’s Fulcrum Ensemble – “Animation”

 

This inside-out recording from Tim Daisy’s Fulcrum Ensemble possesses an enthusiasm that spreads like wildfire to anyone within listening distance.  Sometimes it echoes the swinging affairs from New Orleans past and sometimes it explodes in an avant-garde fury reminiscent of New York City loft scene of the seventies.  But in every instance, there’s a strong presence of the modern day, that the form of expression is always focused through the lens of musicians who know exactly where their feet stand and that they breathe the air of today.  Back when I first wrote about this recording, I said not to be surprised if this album makes an appearance in a later column.  The Best of 2018 is exactly what I had in mind then, and feel no less strongly about it now.

Released on Relay Recordings.

Read more on Bird is the Worm.

Music from Chicago, IL.

Available at:  Bandcamp

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Jan 3 2019

Best of 2018 #47: James Davis Quintet – “Disappearing Roads”

 

As this site illustrates day after day, there is no end to the wonderful studio recordings from the modern scene.  That said, an essential element of jazz is improvisation, and how that expresses itself in a live setting.  Sometimes we’re fortunate that someone is there to hit a record button.  Such is the case with this excellent live session from trumpeter James Davis and his quintet’s performance at the Chicago venue, The Whistler.  With pianist Rob Clearfield, guitarist Dave Miller, double bassist Matt Ulery, and drummer Quin Kirchner, the quintet embodies all the reasons why we should be sure to balance out our digital/CD listening routines with the simple act of buying a ticket to hear some of this magic occur in a live setting.  This album is everything that’s great about the modern jazz scene.

Released as part of the Whistler Chicago music series.

Music from Chicago, IL.

I wrote about this album for The Bandcamp Daily.

Available at:  Bandcamp

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Nov 18 2018

A rundown of the latest on Woolgathering Records

 

Matt Ulery has opened things up on his label Woolgathering Records in 2018.  With many musician-run labels there tends to be a certain homogeneity, a sonic cross-pollination from the same musicians appearing on each of the releases, and the only real difference is whose compositions are utilized and the name in large print on the album cover.  Thankfully, the Chicago bassist’s latest salvo of recordings are as distinct from one another as can be.  We’ve got a quick rundown for you.

Let’s begin.

 

Russ Johnson – Headlands

The music of Russ Johnson leaves a heavy footprint.  Even though his works often provide musicians plenty of room to roam free, there’s typically a weightiness to it that speaks more to the earth than the air.  The resulting contrast of swiftly delivered music that possesses a lumbering mode of propulsion is more than a little bit compelling.  His latest, the 12-part Headlands suite is a study in that contrast… plus something more.  The suite includes several “transition” solo sections from the musicians, and their feather light presence adds a textural element that brings out a side of the music’s personality that might otherwise not be so evident.  Plenty here to like.

Your album personnel:  Russ Johnson (trumpet), Rob Clearfield (piano), Matt Ulery (bass) and Jon Deitemyer (drums).

Music from NYC.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

 

Matt Ulery – Sifting Stars

There’s always been a big sound to the compositions of Matt Ulery.  His early recordings with his Loom ensemble gave plenty insight into that potential.  Even with a smaller ensemble, there was a strong hint of the roaring fire that lay at the heart of the music’s burning ember.  It emerged definitively on his 2012 release By a Little Light, where the immensity of the sound reflected the expansion of the ensemble.  His latest recording, Sifting Stars, continues that arc of large orchestra music, as well as exhibiting his talent as composer.  While he’s clearly settled into this style, none of his music for orchestra recordings sound anything alike.  That’s a promising sign, and, for you, a nice selection of albums to choose from.

Grazyna Auguscik makes a return on Sifting Stars, as do Ulery collaborators Rob Clearfield, Chad McCullough and James Davis in the 23-piece orchestra.

Music from Chicago, IL.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

 

Tim Haldeman – Open Water As a Child

If this title sounds familiar to you, it’s likely because you recently read my write-up of Tim Haldeman‘s outstanding new release as part of my latest Best Jazz on Bandcamp column.  What began as a one-off performance at the Ann Arbor Jazz Festival, this homage to Flint, Michigan has resulted in the stunning Open Water As a Child.

I’m not going to rehash anything written previously on The Bandcamp Daily, but I will add that this recording resonates like mad, and with a strength that just keeps gaining intensity with each subsequent listen.  While it’s common wisdom to give a recording several opportunities to forge a connection, it applies here more than most.

Your album personnel:  Tim Haldeman (tenor sax, flute, piano), Dan Bennett (alto sax), Justin Walter (trumpet), Jordan Schug (cello), Jonathan Taylor (drums), Ben Willis (bass) and John Goode (vocals).

Music from Ann Arbor, MI.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

 

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Nov 1 2018

Recommended: Stu Mindeman – “Woven Threads”

 

There’s an effortless beauty to this album that’s quite affecting.  It’s got plenty of moving parts and they’re constantly on the move, but it’s a graceful motion.  That grace is what allows Stu Mindeman to achieve a grand unity to Woven Threads.  Melodic fragments are matches to light a fire under casual grooves.  When harmonies sweep across a song, they scoop up everything within their embrace.  Of the many dialogues in play, the rhythmic form of expression is that which behaves as the guiding force.  Nothing makes an imprint upon this music in isolation.

Mindeman returned to his Chilean roots and made the music and words of his childhood home the focus of Woven Threads.  The pianist enlists a wealth of talent to augment his own on, with Miguel Zenon, Juan Pastor, Matt Gold, Makaya McCraven, Greg Ward, Marquis Hill and Matt Ulery among the highlights.  And special mention must be made of the vocal contributions of Francesca Ancarola, Ana Tijoux and Kurt Elling, which are everything you could want from voices wading into the center of the ensemble.

Your album personnel:  Stu Mindeman (piano, keyboards, organ), Geof Bradfield (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet), Francesca Ancarola, Ana Tijoux, Kurt Elling (vocals), Milton Russell, Matt Ulery (basses), Carlos Cortes Diaz, Makaya McCraven, Juan Pastor (drums, percussion), Yuri Hevia (bombo legüero, percussion), Matt Gold (guitar), Quentin Coaxum, Victor Garcia, Marquis Hill (trumpets), Greg Ward, Miguel Zenón (alto saxophone), and Sally Blandon, Devin Velez, Sarah Marie Young (background vocals).

Released on Sunnyside Records.

Music from Chicago, IL.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

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Jul 9 2018

The Round-up: And there was no fooling myself about where exactly I stood

 

Here is some very good new music.

 

Jeremy Pelt – Noir en Rouge: Live in Paris (HighNote Records)

You can’t go wrong with this live set from Jeremy Pelt and his quintet.  Recorded at Paris’s Sunside/Sunset Jazz Club, the trumpeter brings plenty of that live performance electricity to the recorded medium.  It’s pure straight-ahead goodness, both from an old-school and new-school point of view.  Pelt’s quintet is solid, with bassist Vicente Archer, drummer Jonathan Barber, percussionist Jacquelene Acevedo and (personal favorite) pianist Victor Gould.  The thrills are immediate when Pelt ramps up the voltage, but the serious heat gets delivered when the quintet slows things down and patiently emotes on “I Will Wait For You.”  That feel is evident in every note, and that’s why each one gives the strong impression of serious and sincere meaning.  Music from Paris via NYC.

Artist site | Buy:  Amazon

 

Ksawery Wójciński & Wojciech Jachna ‎- Conversation With Space (Fundacja Słuchaj!)

The duo of Ksawery Wójciński & Wojciech Jachna are hypnotic like the storming sea.  Waves of dissonance comes crashing down and the spray of rain sometimes cuts across the face like glass and sometimes it cools the brow.  Turbulence shakes every note and every step forward is unsteady and perilous.  But there is a peacefulness inherent in that furious environment, when the senses grasp the entirety of the ocean rather than focusing on the individual waves and lightning and raindrops… and how everything is connected and moves with the patience of a planet rotating through time.  The bassist and trumpeter embody this sensation on their compelling Conversation With Space.  And sometimes, when they enter the eye of the storm, there’s a melodic tranquility that is damn near addictive and will make you never want to leave.  Excellent stuff here.  Music from Warsaw, Poland.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

Paul Bedal – Mirrors (Bace Records)

It’s the little things that make the difference on the new recording from Paul Bedal.  It’s the way in which trumpeter Jean Caze and alto saxophonist Caroline Davis suddenly come together from their separate flight patterns.  It’s how the twittering undercurrent of bassist Dion Kerr suddenly makes its presence felt in that way the cadence of grass resonates on a sun-kissed afternoon.  It’s where the conversational manner of drummer Matt Carroll falls into the stream of dialog struck up by Bedal’s melodic voicing on piano.  This is your standard straight-ahead modern jazz session, and all of these little things endow it with an individuality that is quite striking.  And enjoyable… plenty enjoyable, too.  Music from Chicago.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Fabrice Sotton – The Time Has Come (Self-Produced)

Fabrice Sotton has got a feel on piano that makes the simplest melodies resonate like mad, and only requires the gentlest coaxing to set them into motion.  This solo set is just more evidence at how little difference there is between a pretty melody and flickering candlelight when the pianist is in a mood to conjure up some imagery.  Need some music for a peaceful Sunday morning that possesses the liveliness of leaves fluttering in the breeze just outside your window?  If yes (and who doesn’t?), then download this album.  Music from Paris.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Amazon

 

Marc Sarrazy & Laurent Rochelle – Chansons Pour L’oreille Gauche (Linoleum Records)

There’s a potent chemistry activated when clarinetist Laurent Rochelle and pianist Marc Sarrazy collaborate.  It transforms succinct melodic visions into wildly blossoming imagery, and makes elastic the sense of time in which they evolve into their final shape and form.  Their enchanting 2017 release Intranquillité is a prelude to more of the same on their latest creation.  When Rochelle switches over to bass clarinet, the inherent moodiness becomes like magic unleashed.  It’s a similar effect when Sarrazy utilizes a prepared piano, though this personality trait reveals itself in the subtle effects on melody and how fragile it can appear even at its strongest articulation.  Some additional textures are arrive via guest strings and percussion, and most especially the vocals of Anja Kowalski and echoes of the OKIDOKI Quartet project.  Music from Toulouse, France.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

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