Julian Shore
– piano; Kurt Rosenwinkel – guitar; Jeff Miles – guitar; Alexa Barchini –
vocal; Shelly Tzarafi – vocal; Phil Donkin – bass; Tommy Crane – drums; Noah
Preminger – tenor sax; and others.
(Review by Debra M.)
Filaments is the second album by
American pianist Julian Shore, recorded in Brooklyn following collaboration
with a number of New York based jazz musicians, including vocalists Alexa
Barchini & Shelly Tzarafi.
The
opening Grey Light, Green Lily provides
a good insight into the nature of the ensemble, with the
melodic line provided by vocals and guitar in unison, whilst the remainder of
the group get established with lively interchanges.
Alexa Barchini wrote lyrics
for the second track, Made Very Small,
as well as Whisper and Misdirection/Determined. She has a
honeyed tone, which is a little breathy in the higher registers. However, her vocals are distinctive and
atmospheric, and her concise lyrics convey a depth of emotion, which is
particularly effective in Whisper, a
song of unrequited love.
The album builds up nicely to the most dynamic track Give, which starts with an acapella
harmonic chant joined by drums, keyboard and bass and Kurt Rosenwinkel on
guitar. The drummer, Tommy Crane, drives the tempo, and plays a great solo
against a repeating horn & keyboard groove, finishing it off unobtrusively
with a stylish drum fade out. The subsequent 2 tracks provide contrast, first
with an excellent piano trio I Will If
You Will, featuring a solo from bassist Phil Donkin, and then with a piano
vocal duo on Like A Shadow. The
ensemble is then joined by tenor sax man Noah Preminger on Venus, who provides a gentle interpretation interspersed with rapid
flurries of activity. Finally, there is a refrain of Whisper by Kurt Ozan on acoustic guitar and dobro, a not unwelcome
afterthought to a rather good album of contemporary jazz. Next time you're in
NYC be sure to look out for Julian
Shore
Debra M.
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