Branford Marsalis: Four MFs Playing Tunes

Branford Marsalis (sax)

Four MFs Playing Tunes (Marsalis Music; 2012)

Joey Calderazzo (piano)

Eric Revis (bass)

Justin Faulkner (drums)

Branford Marsalis can always be counted on for great album titles in addition to the superb quality of the music (e.g. I Heard You Twice The First Time). With his latest, Four MFs Playing Tunes, I think he might not be able to top himself this time. Yes it is a very striking title, but the music and development of the quartet is sensational.

The core of the group has remained the same for years. The difference now is the refreshing presence of Justin Faulkner. Replacing longtime bandmate, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Faulkner provides an extra boost of energy that the group just absorbs into what was already a very creative and electric force.

The new quartet also shows serious growth, and Marsalis provides the room through a number of the tunes written by Revis and Calderazzo (in addition to Marsalis). Now this isn't really anything new, but this material has a real electricity to it that shows each member's growth as composers.

The bluesy tone of "Brews" (written by Revis) has a flow that is true blues, but Calderazzo and Marsalis give it a playful nature. At the same time Revis and Faulkner provide the calm layer of seriousness to the track making it very balanced and effective. The Thelonious Monk tune "Teo" shows how fluid and instrumental Faulkner has become in an extremely short amount of time with this group. His performance in the beginning conversations with Branford is awesome and you can see Branford has an immediate connection with him. Faulkner's kit sounds almost tribal. Eric Revis and Calderazzo also have some sweet, quiet funky moments in the middle of the piece. Revis' bending of the chords like a young Paul Chambers. This is juicy stuff, folks.

"Endymion" is beautiful chaos. A tune is built around Marsalis' rolling third notes. The group improvises at every turn allowing the notes to slowly create their own melody. Marsalis has written a piece in which each member shines at their craft. Faulkner shows considerable strength and versatility as he is called upon many times throughout this number to carry and challenge his bandmates.

Four MFs Playing Tunes is a fresh new beginning for the Branford Marsalis Quartet. While it maintains the playfulness Branford carries on all his albums, his group has managed to breathe new life into their adventurous spirit. Four MFs Playing Tunes is a must own album this year.

Jakob Bro: Bro/Knak

Jakob Bro (guitar, piano)

Thomas Knak (electronics)

Bro/Knak (Loveland; 2012)

Jakob Bro has matured since his first release, Daydreamer (2003). His material has spanned contemporary jazz, ensemble, quartet, trio and now an epic and audacious piece in collaboration with Thomas Knak entitled simply, Bro/Knak. And this is a sweeping work over two discs that deserves a lot of your attention.

"Colour Sample" while broad in scope shows the considerable growth Bro has achieved in just the short span of the last two years. With minimal use of electronic manipulation of vocals and the contributions of follow musicians, Wheller, Kulberg, Rehling and Hoyer, Jakob Bro creates a piece that lies somewhere between the new classical world of Stephen Micus and acoustic ambiance of Terje Rypdal or David Sylvian. It's a soothing and expansive work with multiple textures to marvel while listening.

"Izu" has an epic American film quality to it. The brushes by Hoyer and Bro's guitar and echoing vocals provide the long journey cross country in search of something new. Only fitting that the next piece featuring Bro with one of his mentors, Bill Frisell in a performance that highlights both the ambient other-worldly essence of Bro and American folk of Frisell. A luscious and elegant stroll through harmony and rhythm. 

The second disc turns this acoustic outing into a mystic electronic soundscape. "Roots Rebuild" utilizes the soft textures of Paul Bleys original from the first disc with almost Orb-like esthetics by Knak. A complete flip that is almost unrecognizable but original and astounding.

"G Minor Rebuild" also circles around the piano. This time done by David Virelles. It feels like Harold Budd blended through the ambient work of Aphex Twin. "Colour Sample Rebuild"  and "Northern Blues Variation" retain the somber elements of the originals but almost creates it's own imagery that is ghostly and spiritual.

Bro/Knak is a complete divergence from what Jakob Bro has done before that this will be a beautiful shock to the system to most people who have been a fan of his material already. But this is a diversion that is beyond worth taking. Bro/Knak displays a musician and composer who is really pushing ideas forward with a clear sense of deconstruction. Highly Recommended.

Espen Eriksen Trio: What Took You So Long

Espen Eriksen Trio

What Took You So Long (Rune Grammofon; 2012)

Espen Eriksen (piano)

Lars Tormud Jenset (bass)

Andreas Bye (drums)

So when their debut, You Had Me At Goodbye, came out in 2010, I was completely unsure what to think. In the onslaught of European trios of the last few years that possibly tried to fill the void left by E.S.T., I was skeptical. That was completely wrong-headed. This is truly, Espen Eriksen Trio--a proper dynamic and distinctive outfit.

With their sophomore effect, What Took You So Long, they seemed to have quickly vanquished all thoughts of being just another European trio distilling soft melodic story lines. Well...ok, they are soft melodic story lines--but they are finding their voice and making it very prominently heard. "Third Stop" is a journey with an uplifting tempo fueled by Eriksen and gently driven by Jenset and Bye.

The trio have added a very contemporary flavour with "On The Sea." This is where I believe they set themselves apart from their fellow European counterparts. Hand claps, hypnotic key notes, precision drumming and soft pulsating basslines will captivate your ear quickly.

"Passing By" and "Komeda" both show the refreshing quality that circles around this trio. The melodic tempo set by Jenset and Bye is injected with a joyful playfulness at the piano by Eriksen. The trio seem to really enjoy their time in the studio. "Oslo," a loving tribute to the group's homebase, closes this journey like a nighttime lullaby. Centered squarely on Eriksen's melody, this is a quiet, almost classical spirit of a performance. A sublime ending to wonderful excursion.

Espen Eriksen Trio in a similar way to the Neil Cowley Trio, don't take themselves overly serious. But they do pour every ounce of emotion into their compositions. This makes What Took You So Long refreshing and a delight to listen to--over and over. Enjoy...

Traeben

Traben (quartet)

Jens Larsen (guitar)

Soren Ballegaard (sax)

Haye Jellema (drums)

Thorsten Grau (drums)*

Olaf Meijer (bass)
(photo: Eric van den Elsen)

A calm, conservative and refreshingly contemporary approach has been take by Scandinavian quartet, Traeben. They posses a quality that is laid back in the European tradition but owe a lot of melody and harmonics to the traditions of West Coast jazz of the 50s and 60s.

"Se Nu Stiger Solen" from the debut album, Nordic Project* (O.A.P. Records) is gorgeous and filled with folkish, melodic themes. While based on traditional Scandinavian tunes, you would never notice the breadth and dynamics of the musicianship. "Se Nu Stiger Solen" is cool and stoic in tone but with Ballegaard rich, angular notes. Larsen's passion-filled guitar makes the piece romantic and evocative.

At times the instrumentation reminds of the recent work from John Abercrombie and John Surman. This is magnified by excellent heart thumping performances by Meijer and Grau who are significant to each piece, especially "Skyerne Grane" which has a great groove. That's the modern side of Traben's sound; the classic or traditional sound can be felt with romantic numbers like "Det Hvidt Herude" and Grimasch Om Morgonen" that have the subtle styling of a Stan Getz. Quiet, rhythmic and personal. 

Traeben's recently released follow up, Push (Jarr Records) moves the group forward with bright ideas and an exciting new burst of energy. For Push, the quartet seamlessly adds a new drummer, Haye Jellema, who provides a little rougher edge but still paints the soft tone needed on most of the tunes. Push also features Laren and Ballegaard focusing on the group's own material. It is a stellar and more sophisticated set.

The sizzling opening "Top Dog" has Ballegaard sounding like young Dexter Gordon. Theres a rolling stream of notes in the middle of the piece that Ballegaard rips through with ease. On "Can You?" Meijer and Ballegaard provide the lines that probably would be carried out by a pianist. But in their hands they give the tune a bit more passion, soul and purpose.

Larsen and Ballegaard are a great combination. While Larsen sets the group on the path, Ballegaard seems to know exactly when the band should turn along this journey. "All It Needs" exemplifies this attitude with Larsen setting the pace. Lovely chords with an almost Spanish flavour. Jellema accompanies with a delicate combination of crashing symbols and soft brushes.

"We'll Let You Know" is where Traeben breaks from form. This is a bit of a raucous tune in comparison to anything they've done before. While still maintaining that gentle modern form, every member approaches this with a sense of fun and intensity that almost resemble a rock outfit. It's calculating at times and then bold the next. Exquisitely put together--especially the blistering notes by Larsen at the bridge of the song.

"Nothing Or Nothing At All" sees Ballegaard channel the past but infuses a real open mind of exploration for the modern European thinking. A set of staggering climbing notes which are mirrored by Larsen and handled with a steady rhthym from Meijer and Jellema. It's a fluid number with stellar dynamics at all four corners.

Traeben may be Europe's top secret weapon. But with Push, the secret is out. This is a band which should have staying power. Both Nordic Project and Push have made the revolving slot in my CD player and yes my iPod. These are two records which have to be heard by jazz fans of every genre. Traeben are the real deal. A must listen.