Cicada music
Frank Rosaly Delmark DE 5006 © 2013
For
the last few years I have been impressed by the Chicago jazz & improvisation
scene, at least as for as I can tell by the CDs being released, often on
Delmark. Two favourites are Jason
Adasiewicz (vibraphone) and Jason Roebke (double bass), both of whom appear on
this release by drummer Frank Rosaly.
The front line comprises James Falzone, Jason Stein and Keefe Jackson,
all playing clarinets of various registers.
The ten tunes were written to accompany a documentary film by Brian Ashby (www.scrappersmovie.com) and mostly are
simple themes over unusual time
signatures. That may sound like this is Braxton
territory, best left as a thesis in University music departments but instead Rosaly
keeps the pieces moving along with an effortless swing and pulse. The short thematic heads allow the musicians
to develop their solos and the band work together sympathetically.
One
of my bugbears is over active pianists who cannot remove their hands from the
keyboard when accompanying other soloists. This may explain why I am drawn to
Adasiewicz. He sounds appropriately subdued when comping , letting the chimes hang
in air behind the soloist but providing enough of a melodic question to aid the
lead musician of the moment. The gentler
attack of the vibraphone over the piano also helps keep the soundstage
sufficiently open so that you can focus on the lead soloist.
This
recording will be of particular interest to those attracted to clarinets. Sadly,
the soloists are not identified per track
and I am unable to tell who is playing at any one time. I guess this is
in keeping with the egalitarian nature of the band, and I am all for that.
Another
good one one from Delmark. There are no tunes that stick in the head but the soloing
is what wins through ultimately. I was
leaving my seat by the last track, appropriately titled Credits, but hey, the
other nine are the main show.
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