New York City

Oct 26 2018

Recommended: Omer Avital – “Qantar”

 

The music of Omer Avital is so damn joyful.  It hits me square in the heart, a mainline of happiness that won’t let me sit still.  Like it’s too much to contain.  Like I want to share it.  The bassist’s latest recording sees him with a new line-up, and the change manifests in the motion.  Qantar is meant for dance.  It has an effortless flow that scoops up everything in its path and carries it along for the ride.  Like you.  And me.  This is true when the quintet slows things down a bit on “Beauty and the Beast” and it is also true when the intensity spikes on “Immigration.”  Most tracks, however, keep to a brisk and even pace, where the thrill of speed doesn’t disturb the casual flow of things, as if Avital isn’t in a hurry for any of these tunes to end.

Qantar falls in line with past recordings.  It’s calmer than Suite of the East and Free Forever, but doesn’t shortchange when it comes to those recordings’ boisterous attitude.  “Turkish Coffee Blue” edges closest to those extraordinary recordings with its moody intensity and an omnipresent melody, but even in this instance, the quintet guide the song into territory where introspection isn’t on the menu.  Nor should it be.

How is there not a law requiring Avital to record something new every year?  That seems like a gimme.

Your album personnel:  Omer Avital (bass), Eden Ladin (piano, keyboards), Ofri Nehemya (drums), Alexander Levin (tenor sax) and Asaf Yuria (soprano & tenor saxophones).

Released on Zamzama Records.

Listen to more of the album on the artist’s Bandcamp page.

Music from NYC.

Available at:  Bandcamp | Amazon

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Oct 22 2018

The Round-up: I was becoming a fixture

 

Here is some very good new music.

 

Onyx Collective – Lower East Suite, Part Three (Big Dada)

This is more a collection of photos than songs, where the sharp imagery, frozen in time, resonates far longer than the brief moments captured on film.  Most of the album’s ten tracks are quick and to the point, as if simply introducing an idea and letting the listener flesh it out on their own time.  Individually, this works well for each piece, but taken as a whole and in the context of the flow of one track to the next, it’s pretty damn thrilling.  Barely has one reaction hit its peak before you’re put in the position of having to absorb the next.  There’s something special about an album that forces you to stay on your toes.  Your Collective is saxophonist Isaiah Barr, drummer Austin Williamson, upright bassist Walter Stinson, electric bassist Spencer Murphy, plus Roy Nathanson guesting on saxophone.  Music from NYC.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Stijn en Mala – Vaart (Self-Produced)

Here’s your music for a peaceful Sunday morning, when all you want to do is bring tranquility to your life, and, perhaps, nurse away your Saturday night hangover.  The duo of violinist Mala Dengkeng and pianist Stijn van der Smagt cycle through a pattern of soothing melody dissipates into a warm blanket of harmony.  The only complaint I have about this recording is that there’s only five tracks.  They could have tripled this album’s duration and it still wouldn’t have been enough.  Music from Delft, Netherlands.

Here’s a video for the title-track.  It has everything I could want from a video:  Trains, boats, planes, seagulls, moody landscapes accompanied by moody music.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

Bongwool Lee – My Singing Fingers (Origin Records)

Sometimes you just want to sit back with a piano trio recording that plays it nice and straight, and patiently dives into a melody to explore every inch.  The debut from Bongwool Lee will definitely fit that need.  The pianist straddles that middle ground where old-school jazz bleeds into the modern post-bop, and so the music is always plenty lively even when it grows increasingly contemplative.  Bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Kendrick Scott are attached to the hip with Lee throughout, and that grand unity is why the music possesses a seriously appealing flow.  Music from NYC.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Thomas Nordlund – Miles Left Behind (Shifting Paradigm Records)

Miles Left Behind has got an easy-to-like personality to it.  A modern jazz recording with healthy doses of blues and country, Thomas Nordlund modulates the heat level along the spectrum of campfire warmth to raging bonfire, but keeps closely to one extreme or the other.  Ben Abrahamson on banjo is a nice touch, with bassist Doan Roessler and drummer Zach Schmidt rounding out the quartet.  The music is stronger when Nordlund’s guitar behaves as the train tracks guiding a tune rather than the locomotive driving it, but I tend to be more particular when it comes to jazz guitar, so that could be written off strictly to personal tastes.  Nordlund ends the album with a magnificent rendition of Nils Frahm’s “Si,” which will be addressed in an upcoming column.  Music from Minneapolis, MN.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

7to Hot Clube de Portugal – Vol. 3 (Self-Produced)

Breezy tempos and melodies thick as a moonbeam at midnight are the signifying marks of this enjoyable septet session from guitarist Bruno Santos, vocalist Joana Machado, trumpeter João Moreira, saxophonists Pedro Moreira & Ricardo Toscano, bassist Romeu Tristão and drummer João Lopes Pereira.  While the gravitational pull is likely stronger towards those pieces that ratchet up the electricity, the ensemble is at their strongest when thoughtfully expressing a melody and nurturing it patiently to a fuller bloom.  Music from Lisbon, Portugal.

No artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

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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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Jun 11 2018

The Round-up: Between steel and sky

 

Here is some very good new music.

 

Shake Stew – Rise and Rise Again (Traumton Records)

Shake Stew is the congregation and their new album Rise and Rise Again is a testament to the choice of expressing spirituality via euphoric motion or solemn contemplation.  Ultimately, the septet take both routes, and in both instances, their church bursts with a celebration of life.  Skittering grooves and thick melodies feed off the energy of one another, a playfulness of motion like the dance between shadow and sunlight.  Tenor saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings sits in for a couple of tracks, and it’s a shame it’s just for two, because he is a perfect fit for this band on this album.  Music from Vienna, Austria.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Kevin Sun – Trio (Endectomorph Music)

There’s an undercurrent of aggression on the newest from Kevin Sun, and it flows through the music no differently when it veers into avant-garde territory as it does when the trio is simply laying down a pretty melody.  Joined by bassist Water Stinson and drummer Matt Honor, the tenor saxophonist rolls out an impressive display of expressionism, where the method of delivery is what binds the album together instead of the cohesion of sound.  That’s pretty cool, and it’s why the ever-changing landscape of Trio feels like it’s keeping to a predetermined path.  Music from Brooklyn, NY.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Michael Moss Accidental Orchestra – Helix (Self-Produced)

What’s most astounding about this fascinating free jazz release is how Michael Moss is able to spotlight individual rivulets of melody in the dense wave of his big band harmonics.  Violinist Jason Kao Hwang, trombonist Steve Swell and tabla player Badal Roy are a few of the familiar names in Moss’s Accidental Orchestra, and symbolic of the sonic diversity that powers Helix.  There are countless surges intensity, and how they pull apart at the seams of a piece and then suddenly coalesce into a singular vision is just one of the many fascinating qualities offered up.  Another is Michael Lytle dishing out fire on bass clarinet.  Don’t be surprised if this album makes some noise in year-end lists.  Music from NYC.

No artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Konrad Bogen Trio – Transit (Self-Produced)

The trio of pianist Konrad Bogen, bassist Mischa Frey and drummer Samir Böhringer develop a seriously friendly chatter on their latest, and what makes it so compelling is how that level engagement maintains its electrical charge regardless of the tone of a particular piece.  And so, the contemplative tunes possess the same magnetism and friendly demeanor as do those tunes that move with a lively hop and bounce.  As they did on their previous release, United, the trio takes a Kendrick Lamar tune for a spin, and with equally successful results.  Definitely musicians to keep on your radar.  Music from Berlin, Germany.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

Matt Carmichael – Matt Carmichael Quartet (Self-Produced)

A promising debut from tenor saxophonist Matt Carmichael.  A calm intensity and casual delivery makes for an appealing combination.  That, in addition to some well crafted melodies, is the source of this EP’s charisma.  Though I suppose it shouldn’t be overlooked how each of these four pieces demonstrate that the quartet understands the value of making a strong opening statement.  Joining Carmichael are pianist Fergus McCreadie, bassist Ali Watson and drummer Tom Potter.  Music from Glasgow, Scotland.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

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May 30 2018

The Round-up: What it looks like when the search is almost over

 

Here is some very good new music.

 

Wayne Escoffery – Vortex (Sunnyside Records)

I adore how Wayne Escoffery articulates on tenor saxophone at high speeds.  There’s something so magnetic about how clear and crisp he sounds in the midst of volatility, like picking out the way light catches individual raindrops within the storm.  His latest is certainly a case in point.  It’s unsurprising that he collaborates with those who gravitate to that form of expression.  Pianist David Kikoski has some standout moments picking up a solo where Escoffery’s left off.  Bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Ralph Peterson, Jr. are just as often the catalyst for this album’s fireworks, especially on those tracks that feature percussionist Jacquelene Acevedo.  There are some seriously thrilling moments when Peterson and Acevedo enter a rhythmic confluence and just go to town.  Music from NYC.

 

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra – Bohemiana Vol. 1 (Self-Produced)

There’s something special when a big band can scoop you up with a melody and use it to carry you all through a piece, even when the melody becomes a distant memory.  That’s what happens on Bohemiana: The compositions and arrangements of Dan Roberts Volume 1.  This straight-ahead session from Brad Linde‘s 17-piece orchestra comes with the big sound and harmonies that generate a warmth strong enough to beat back an Alaskan winter, but it all hinges on those inviting melodic statements.  After that, the swinging tempos spur things along, and it’s an even draw between the soloists and ensemble play as to which will win over your attention.  Music from Washington, DC.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Kaladin Quartet – Apropos of Nothing (Self-Produced)

There’s an appeal to how Kaladin Quartet makes a bold statement with each recitation of melody.  There’s plenty of life to them just by way of their construction, but the quartet of pianist Henry Walsh, bassist David Storelli, drummer Marc Celestini and saxophonist Christopher Greene really breathe life into them, accenting the melodies with just the right amount of emphasis for a dramatic splash and avoiding the risk of it sounding contrived and over-the-top.  The music is situated firmly in modern territory, with tempos just as inclined to rock as they might swing.  Overall, an album with a magnetic personality.  Worth nothing it’s retailing at Name Your Price, so it’s an opportunity to explore new music at a cost that suits your ability.  Music from North Carolina.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp

 

Tleikak – Tleikak (Self-Produced)

There’s something about the catchy melodies and breezy tempos of the duo Tleikak that I find a little addictive and plenty fun.  Comprised of Japhlet Bire Attias on the Chapman Stick and synths, and Manuel Caffarena on drums and percussion, the duo finds the sweet spot where contemporary jazz and indie pop come together.  The result is music that is easy to embrace while retaining qualities that keep the head engaged sufficiently to keep from just drifting off.  Music from Mexico City, Mexico.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Bandcamp – Amazon

 

Francis Hon – Before Dawn (Self-Produced)

I do really try to stay away from the approach of comparing one artist to another… especially a modern artist with one from the classic jazz age.  But this lovely set from pianist Francis Hon had me thinking wistfully about how long it had been since I’d given a Duke Pearson recording a spin.  Hon has a way of gently coaxing a melody to resonate with impressive strength.  Much of the album echoes the hard bop era, but there’s some modern influence that makes its presence felt, too.  Hell of a nice debut.  Hon is joined by bassist Jeong Hwan Park and drummer Billy Drummond.  Music from Brooklyn, NY.

Artist site | Listen | Buy:  Amazon

 

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