Francois Houle (clarinet)
Havard Wiik (piano)
Aves (Songlines Recordings; 2013)
Another exciting duo session from Francois Houle. This time he collides with versatile stylings of pianist, Havard Wiik. Together they emerge with the sublime, Aves. This is well crafted, well improvised session that melds classical and free jazz into a harmonious celebration.
"Nomenclatural" starts off quietly with a heavy melody that soon builds into a series of rolling counterpoints. Wiik and Houle seem to challenge each other at very turn with improvised notes that both offset and combine for a lovely high energy experience.
"Ged's Shadow" and "Letter for Gregory L" focus more on the simply sparse notes laid out by Wiik. Very emotional and dense, which allows the listener to sink deeply into their own darkness. Houle can be hear deep in the background (except towards the latter passages of Gregory) which makes both piece even more eerie and effective.
"Woodhoopoe" sees Houle playing various notes in a pattern which felt like a mixture of both classical, free form and African. There was beat that develops but more effectively "Woodhoopoe" doesn't feel like Houle on clarinet. It was reminiscent of recent work by Colin Stetson and his rotating breathing effects. A great solo piece.
I am a huge fan of Francois Houle and get excited by each release. With Aves, It feels as though his met another kinder counterpart along the lines of fellow collaborator, Benoit Delbecq that he can bounce ideas off. And the results is another fantastic and invigorating session that is well worth every one's time to seek out. Highly Recommended.
Fred Hersch (piano)
Julian Lage (guitar)
Free Flying (Palmeto; 2013)
For me, this wonderful session between the living legend, Fred Hersch and the future legend, Julian Lage brought memories of the brilliant recordings by Bill Evans and Jim Hall some 50 years ago.
Free Flying is a sensational outing that is vintage fun and sweetly romantic. A duo session similar in dynamics to Hersch's recent collaboration with trumpeter, Ralph Alessi.
"Song Without Words #4" and "Down Home" show the playfulness and agility of the two musicians as they both move classical and early jazz themes. Lage's playing definitely evokes Frisell on "Down Home," but with a younger spirit. And the two bounce notes off each other terrifically in the middle sections of "Down Home."
"Free Flying" originally from Hersch's Pocket Orchestra Live at the Jazz Standard release, revolved around a Brazilian theme and led improvised vocals from Jo Lawry. Here as a duo the piece (dedicated the great Egberto Gismonti) takes on more intimacy and resonance. Hersch and Lage are the improvisers here and it actually is much easier to follow and dig deeper into the notes. The solitude of grandeur displayed on "Gravity's Pull" is all Lage. Rolling melodic keys from Hersch are juxtaposed against gentle and elegant chords laid out by Lage.
Free Flying is an excellent duo session that evokes the past, present and future with lush and vivid artistry.
Nikolaj Hess (piano)
Trio (Gateway Music; 2013)
Tony Scherr (bass)
Kenny Wollesen (drums)
Danish, pianist, Nikolaj Hess has performed and led various size groups. One of the more effective and resonant groups for me (outside of solo) is his trio line up. While it can sometimes vary in membership, the aesthetic value is always the same--emotional, subtle and long-lasting.
For this simply titled Trio album, Hess is joined by Tony Scherr and Kenny Wollesen. A quiet and reflective session that opens with a wonderful rendition of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love." Stripping away the already fantastic vocal from the original you realize how much of the impact the songs can actually have. And it is brilliantly executed by Hess. His notes seem to hit the heart with every touch.
"September 2010" is a gentle midtempo piece that evokes the soothing pictorial view of autumn. A laid back bop approach that easily settles with an evening skyline. Adding a little bit of a groove into the mix is "Kontra" which sees the bassline and drums hitting a different step. Hess manages to mix in both some modern lines and notes into this composition that reminded me of some of the more eccentric work of Jason Moran. "Social Club" is another midtempo piece but with a little joyous romp to it, interspersed with some nice improvised pieces. A nice, fun and creative way to end this enjoy journey.
Trio is beautiful recording that is quick to catch the ear of any music fan. The impact of Nikolaj Hess' compositions will definitely touch you. It's one of those record that you'll end up listening to constantly without even realizing it.
Mark Dresser (bass)
Nourishments (Clean Feed; 2013)
Rudresh Mahanthappa (sax)
Michael Dessen (trombone)
Denman Maroney (hyper-piano)
Michael Sarin (drums)
Tom Rainey (drums)
Mark Dresser is one the few distinctive bassist on the scene that continues to impress with complex arrangements that challenge convention. His latest outing as leader, Nourishments, Dresser demonstrates a solid and bold approach with both his playing and compositions. Allowing the quintet to mix things up yet follow a rough set of parameters with beautiful results.
"Not Withstanding" jumps out like a delightful and fierce piece that could have been written by Zorn's Masada. It's filled with both improvised accompaniments and stoic solos. All shifting back and forth through various counterpoints making for an intense and fun listen. "Para Waltz," a wonderful ballad that starts off solemn and quaint thanks to Maroney and slowly builds in stature. Mahanthappa's horn sounds big yet very romantic pared against Dresser understated touches during this piece.
The harmonic structure of "Rasaman" is highlighted by the always immepecable Michael Dessen and his early exchanges with Mahanthappa. Another lovely and romantic number that feels more like a journey than just a musical number.
Mark Dresser has put together a tightly woven document with Nourishments. An exemplary piece which is also filled with improvisations that while challenging are also very inviting. Nourishments is a superb album that delivers on every construct and theme which should give every listener something to think about after the first spin.
