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Producer
Bob Rusch always succeeds in finding musicians whom, for one
reason or another, have not frequented the recording studio
very much, and on his labels CIMP or Cadence Jazz Records,
he catches the interesting surprise.
Patrick
Brennan has already recorded for CIMP in 1998 together with
bassist Lisle Ellis and returns again to the Spirit Room with
works for quartet. The alto saxophonist in lengthy liner notes
- truly exhaustive ones - supplies us with a picture of his
activity with this formation (only four recordings, the first
recorded in 1981) and of his musical and political ideas.
It's
surprising to read economic commentary such as that 5% of
the world's population (the USA) possesses 1/3 of the planet's
resources of the planet, and a small 1% controls 40% of (US)
economic resources while 10% succeed in controlling 75%. "Interesting."
is the conclusion to this commentary, which raises some doubt
about the music while holding the booklet before hearing the
disc.
But, the argument is only to affirm that music can flourish
in beneficent social conditions, and that nowadays things
are deliberately going in the other direction. "Music
may be free, but musicians work hard for it, and they need
to eat too."
The
political-economic discussion isn't there to remove attention
from the music or to hide a lack of technique. Brennan's a
capable instrumentalist on the alto saxophone who seems to
have listened to and learned the lessons of the early Anthony
Braxton, who in the '70s recorded works of absolute value
on Arista that have never been reissued.
Steve
Swell and the rhythm section follow attentively the leader's
directives. The improvisation/ composition dichotomy strongly
presents itself throughout. Brennan guides his quartet with
skill through complicated scores that leave the just the right
space for the expert improvisation. The dirty sounds of the
trombone and the impervious course followed by the rhythm
section results in what completely merits applause for the
expended energy and spontaneity .
The
rhythms of Newman Taylor Baker offer a true history lesson
in percussion: all of it, from African to swing, to rarified
contemporary. Beyond this, they are an authentic source of
coherence for the entire quartet, whose playing reveals an
inner logic of remarkable rigor. The title of the disc gives
recognition where it's due.
Appraisal:
* * * * -Luigi Santosuosso- All About Jazz Italy-10-18-04
allaboutjazz.com
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