Gene Ess (gtr); Thana Alexa (voice); David Berkman (pno); Thomas Kneeland (bs); Gene Jackson (dms).
(Review by Lance)
The blurb sums it up exactly - Eight original compositions which are forward thinking but simultaneously respecting the best of the past from the rich jazz music history. I'll raise a glass to that.
The guitar/voice front line is used very effectively. Japanese American guitarist Ess has a pedigree that includes a stint with the Rashied Ali Quintet and sessions with Ravi Coltrane, Archie Shepp and many others.
Despite that contemporary company, former child prodigy Ess' playing here is relatively straightforward. Grant Green is cited as an inspiration and certainly many of the guitar solos have a Blue Note feel about them.
Thana Alexa uses her voice instrumentally and brings Norma Winstone to mind. The pitching is accurate and the timbre of the voice appealing. In Tanabata - subtitled Forlorn Lovers - voice and bowed bass combine to create a doom laden mood of lost love. The accompaniment is in 18 and 5 coming together every 90 pulses. Much like the forlorn lovers from the ancient Tanabata tale. Alexa's own composition (the other seven are all by Ess) - Fractica - turns her loose on some frenetic improvisations spurred on by Jackson's drums and brought down to earth by Ess' solo logic.
Berkman is impressive throughout and Kneeland's intro in 9 on the first track, Silver's Fate sets it up for the entry of the horns (yes guitar and voice here are as much horns as trumpet and sax anywhere else!) and is consistent throughout.
Gene Ess - Fractal Attraction. was released on May 8, 2013 by Simp Records.
Lance.
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