Julian Costello (saxophones), Maciek Pysz (guitar), Adam
Teixeira (drums), Jakub Cywinski, (double bass)
(Review by Chris K)
Simultaneously a joy and a loss -
this great band were due to play at the Jazz Coop, Newcastle, and Zeff's in
Ambleside in April, where I was looking forward to hearing the 3D realisation
of the recorded version. At least due to Covid-19 I've had more time to
listen to this delightful slice of musical magic.
The multi-national band recorded the
album in Norway with the aim of promoting and celebrating multicultural
collaborations. Costello's works were new to me and so it's tempting to make
comparisons with other sax-led bands in similar spaces, e.g. Oded
Tzur's album recently reviewed here on BSH as well as Trish Clowes and Tori
Freestone's bands.
While there are some similarities,
Costello has his own distinctive voice on tenor and soprano, with inventive but
wholesome compositions with melody in abundance, covering a wide variety of
idiom and mood. A luxuriant and spacious feel pervades, with room not
only for the excellent Maciek Pysz on guitar, but top bass and drums
doing more than supporting. The classically trained Cywinski on
bass has the hard act to follow of Yuri Goloubev who starred on the previous
album, but he pulls it off with aplomb. Teixeira tastefully alternates between
conventional beats and shimmering percussion when needed.
Pysz is an
established star in his own right, and alternates here not only between
accompaniment and duelling lead, but also between electric and acoustic as the
mood changes, with plenty here for the guitar aficionado.
Everyone
Has a Story opens the album strongly in relaxed style, but with enough
propulsion to avoid somnolence, followed by the more upbeat Sunflowers,
with tones of Sulzmann and Metheny shining through. Connections looks
to the east, building on Arabic scales and a motif recalling Yazz Ahmed's Jamil
Jamal on La Saboteuse (to have been played by Jambone at
last weekend's cancelled Gateshead Jazz...).
Nord Wind evokes
the Norwegian setting, with icy but emotional shimmers immaculately recorded,
challenging ECM's ground! Rainforest sees Costello
directly engaging Garbarek territory, as does Splashing in Puddles,
complete with gorgeous cymbal landscapes.
The standout track for me is Bridges where Pysz turns up the volume
and sustain to set off into a substantial proggy interlude.
Fear not though, excess is avoided in a supremely well-crafted work out for the
whole band.
All in all, masterfully written and played, elegant and
expressive. While we pray for the return of both the band
and the album's sentiment of Connections: without borders, I'd
wholeheartedly recommend giving this a listen.
Chris
Buy at 33
Records 33JAZZ283.
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