Jan 20 2020
Best of 2019 #61: Matt Mitchell – “Phalanx Ambassadors”
A strong gust of wind blows through and sweeps up everything in its path. It whips about in all directions, seeming without purpose or causation, and a random assortment of objects caught in its grasp. But eventually the motion transmits information, revealing something similar to coordination, a choreography of chaos. And, suddenly, the random objects are viewed with the perspective of a singular entity, moving with a purposeful motion, and toward some unseen end. The Matt Mitchell 2019 release Phalanx Ambassadors is the embodiment of this phenomenon. The change in perspective occurs slowly, but powerfully, as many moving parts gradually coalesce into a unified entity. And, with repeat listening, it becomes increasingly apparent that the unison was there from the very first note. This music has jagged edges and whiplash movements and isn’t shy about annihilating a melody if that’s what the moment calls for. But, ultimately, the signifying characteristic of this compelling album isn’t fury or destruction or entropy, but grace. The motion of this music is that of walking through life, and all of the chaos that experience brings.
Your album personnel: Matt Mitchell (piano, Mellotron, Prophet-6), Miles Okazaki (electric & acoustic guitars), Patricia Brennan (vibraphone, marimba), Kim Cass (double bass, electric bass) and Kate Gentile (drums, percussion).
Released on Pi Recordings.
Music from New York City.
Cool album art by Kate Gentile.
Jan 22 2020
Best of 2019 #51: Steve Lehman Trio + Craig Taborn – “The People I Love”
There is a decisively combustible nature to Lehman’s sound. It has much to do with why it’s so arresting and so fun. But there is also clearly more to it, though that more is not easily identifiable. His 2019 release The People I Love brought some clarity to the subtleties of the music’s defining characteristics. Yes, the immediacy of the music is still an omnipresent force, but this album reveals that the aggressiveness is simply a byproduct, and that the immediacy has more to do with the subject of focus. In this specific instance, The People I Love celebrates ten year of the alto saxophonist’s trio with bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Damion Reid. There’s your focus.
This is an album of ballads. They certainly don’t all present themselves that way, but they strike the heart with the same thoughtfulness and care as those tunes that gift wrap the ballad in soft tones and slowly poured melodies. This quality, as much as any the album presents, is what makes it so damn special.
For this session, the trio are joined by pianist Craig Taborn, which is a good reason to celebrate for any reason at all.
Your album personnel: Steve Lehman (alto sax), Craig Taborn (piano), Matt Brewer (acoustic bass), and Damion Reid (drum set).
Released on Pi Recordings.
Music from New York City.
I wrote about the album for The Bandcamp Daily.
Listen | Read more | Available at: Bandcamp – Amazon
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By davesumner • Recap: Best of 2019 • 0 • Tags: Best Jazz of 2019, Craig Taborn, New York City, Pi Recordings, Steve Lehman