Concord
Release date: August 4th 2009
Availability: CD, MP3 Download
With 'Way Out West', Sonny Rollins defined the pianoless saxophone trio. Joshua Redman recently explored the formula with great success in his 2007 album "Back East". Now, teaming with Joe Lovano on tenor sax, ace bassist John Patitucci explores the form. The difference, of course, is that the musical perspective is now from the point of view of the bassist rather than the sax player.
'Remembrance' delivers an ambitious programme of eleven compositions by John Patitucci, most aiming at recalling the importance of jazz greats that have influenced him and the music in general. Though composed, there is a strong open improvisational feel as the three principals (John Patitucci and Joe Lovano are joined by the always worth listening to Brian Blake on drums) freely interact with each other.
Photo credit: Lisa Stein
The musical references come thick and fast – 'Monk/Trane' is a reworking of the chord structure to 'Giant Steps'; 'Messaien's Gumbo' is a take on classical composer Olivier Messaien meets John Scofield; 'Sonny Side' directly recalls 'Way Out West'; 'Blues for Freddie' pays tribute to recently departed Freddie Hubbard; ' Joe Hen' recaptures Joe Henderson's vibrant influence; 'Play Ball' is for the enduring influence of bassist Ray Brown; the final short title track employing doubled electric basses is a dedication to Michael Brecker.
What delivers added depth is John Patitucci's use not only of acoustic bass but also 6-string electric bass, 6-string electric piccolo bass and arco bass quartet. This introduces funk elements as in 'Mali' and Pat Metheny influenced colorings as in 'Meditations'. 'Scenes From An Opera', where Sachi Patitucci joins on cello and Joe Lovano takes up alto clarinet, is contemplative, atmospheric and engrossing. Its sudden ending calls for a more extended future elaboration on the possibilities discovered.
Additional percussion is by Rogerio Boccato.
Recommended.
You can hear streaming audio of two of the tracks here: Messaien's Gumbo and Scenes From An Opera
To preview and purchase "Remembrance" on CD at amazon:
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To preview and purchase "Remembrance" on MP3 at amazon:
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Our review of Joshua Redman "Back East"
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