Aruan Ortiz: Orbiting

Aruan Ortiz (piano)

Orbiting (Fresh Sound/New Talent; 2012)

Eric McPherson (drums)

David Gilmore (guitar)

Rashaan Carter (bass)

Aruan Ortiz was one of the outstanding contributors to Esperanza Spalding little known first album, Junjo. His playing is calculating and well developed. I freely admit that I don't own much other than his previous quartet record and the Spalding album but I really believe he is a serious rising talent.

Only on the scene for a few years, he is slowly becoming a well known name within the scene. His style at times reminds me of a young Chick Corea. 

His second (fourth as leader) album with his quartet, Orbiting is a wonderful and elegantly executed session that takes chances when needed and stays reverent on others. "Orbiting" features a set of stellar performances by Ortiz and Gilmore. Ortiz seems to move freely and applies a great deal of emotion with each chord. Gilmore's patterns add a nice groove that also turns bluesy on the next track "The Heir." This number includes a number sparkling movements by Ortiz and McPherson that ascend into a massive crescendo towards the end.

Ortiz shows adventure and inspiration with his version of Ornette Coleman's "WRU." A good dose of improvisation by Ortiz and Carter. Their movement together is fluid yet pulsating.

Deep, emotional and intensely rewarding. Aruan Ortiz has produced a superb collection that pretty much everyone will find a big surprise. Orbiting is modern yet still rooted in tradition. Highly Recommended.

Ballrogg: Cabin Music

Ballrogg (trio)

Cabin Music (Hubro Music; 2012)

Ivar Grydeland (guitar)

Klaus Ellerhusen Holm (sax, clarinet, electronics)

Roger Arntzen (bass)

Ballrogg started as a duo exploring minimalist motifs with guest musicians joining in the creation of their organic sounds. Now expanded to a full trio with the addition of Ivar Grydeland, Ballrogg feel very expansive and even more creative. With their brilliant new album, Cabin Music, you'll actually want to go out and tell as many friends as possible.

Opening on an experimental folk tone with "Swedish Country" uniquely describes the Scandinavian musical landscape. A rolling pattern led by Grydeland's pedal steel guitar and swirling notes from Ellerhusen on clarinet make this journey beautiful and transcendent.

"Sliding Doors" is built on a repeating chord led Arntzen. Rydeland and Ellerhusen both improvise around it with creative resonate effect. The piece has a number of ebbs and flows that eventually led to Ellerhusen's sax gently riding the piece to its closing.

A short album (four tracks at a total of 35 minutes), Cabin Music still conjures up a great deal of inventiveness. An interesting comparison might the American low-fi trio Low which has crafted this ethereal minimalist folk for over two decades. Ballrogg, though, have manage to add a cold European beauty this sound that makes more than just meditative. It becomes enriching, passionate and reflective. Cabin Music sees this new trio bursting with new found direction.

Alon Nechushtan: Dark Forces

Alon Nechushtan (piano, composer)

Dark Forces (Creative Sources Records; 2011)

Mark Dresser (bass)  Oleg Raskin (sax)

Ned Rothenberg (clarinet)  Robert Dick (flute)

Steve Swell (trombone)  Nate Wooley (trumpet)

Okkyung Lee (cello)  Eliot Sharp (guitar)

Henry Kaiser (guitar)  Briggan Kraus (sax)

Marcus Rojas (tuba)

I've only recently discovered Alon Nechushtan's music (as leader) over the last year. Releasing two radically different records in 2011 is surprising. But for both to be so solid and inspiring is strong evidence that Nechushtan is becoming a important name on the scene.


I've discussed his early 2011 album, Words Beyond, with the latter year end release of Dark Forces, Nechushtan has made wider leap forward in the avant garde community.

Dark Forces is cerebral--and yes, dark. You might even call it, "a headphone record." Originally written and performed in live in 2006 (only now finally put on record), is densely packed with layers of slightly audible tones. This is a large ensemble spread over ten movements. And while  each member doesn't really standout (probably by Nechushtan's design), the overall sum of the parts is intense and very rewarding.

"Dark Forces II" employes a number of manipulated effects and electronics surrounded by some haunting sounds by the wind instruments. With "Dark Force III," Nechushtan manages to blend an ethereal esthetic into classical realism which makes for a fascinating experience. Both Dresser and Lee have some heavy exchanges which carry the piece through beautifully.

"Dark Forces VII" rolls along hypnotically on the found sounds and Wooley's ghostly trumpet. The guitars quietly blend into the background allowing Rojas to rise up in the mix. "Dark Forces X" leaves its final impression like a piece that could easily slide along side a Throbbing Gristle record.

Dark Forces feels like it could easily be a work for installations or an experimental dance company. But as a stand alone piece, Dark Forces is a deceptively effective work from a composer who seems to be a great more adventurous with each record. Well worth seeking out.

McPhee & Haker-Flaten: Brooklyn DNA

Joe McPhee (sax, trumpet)

Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten (bass)

Brooklyn DNA (Clean Feed; 2012)

Revolving around the organic energy of Brooklyn (a borough of New York City), Joe McPhee and Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten create a work that is inspired by their surroundings as well as their jazz forefathers. Brooklyn DNA is one of those shining beacons that helps others see the vibrancy and diversity of New York free form scene.

"Crossing The Bridge" and "Spirit Cry" quietly bring the listener into the spacious and inventive quarters of these renown musicians. A playful march with beautiful intersecting lines by McPhee that connect the two opening pieces with crisp fluidity. Haker-Flaten's bass lines, while improvised, are subtle but matches McPhee chords with every step.

The ballad "Blue Coronet," dedicated to the famous jazz club of the '60s, is a late night walk on the streets, feeling the vibe of the neighborhood and how it influences your sound and vision. "Here And Now" is the perfect conclusion to this journey. A number that embodies the jazz scene today while still reflective of the traditions it's built on. Calm improvisational chords by both musicians bold lines and immediacy as the piece reaches its latter stages.

Brooklyn DNA is not just a travelogue through the boroughs great jazz history, its a document of the quiet brilliance of two intercontinental musicians. Highly Recommended.