AprilCadence2013

Papatamus Robert D. Rusch
which is complemented by the group, which comes off relaxed and
unhurried, but most importantly, because of the quality and quantity
of the originals, this rewards listening with the compositions blending
into each other and opening like the proverbial chapters of a book.
And, frankly, it would have been better had it just been one CD, as
the second CD is a bit of a jumble, opening with New Cos City, with
Eddie Charles singing and referencing a load of jazz icons. But it’s a
rather jumbled mess of hipness. However, consider the second CD an
extra. This is a good introduction to Roberto Magris’ work, called Aliens
in a Bebop Planet—curious title—and it’s on J Mood Records, JM#004.
I should mention, on the end of the second set is an explanation of the record,
which is really unnecessary. It’s very stilted, and is obviously being read
from a script by people rather unfamiliar with jazz. However, you like your
music explained track-by-track, then this for you. I’ll go back to this for
disc one, although the second CD does have the most original rendering
of Giant Steps I’ve ever heard. It sounds like Giant Steps in name only; it
sounds like an Ellington etude. Anyway, no matter what, it’s beautiful
essayed, not recognizable as Giant Steps, but beautiful nonetheless,
and certainly the most original voicing I’ve ever heard on that tune.
Jonathan Orland has released a CD called Homes on the Bee label, #054.
Joining Mr. Orland on his alto and soprano saxophones are Sharik Hasan,
piano, Greg Duncan on guitar, George Garzone appears on three tracks
on tenor sax, Lim Yang on bass, and Jun Young on drums. This is a
pleasant enough record of bopstream. It’s also thoughtful, and it’s noted
for the leaders sax work, especially his alto playing, which has a large
touch of Paul Desmond in it, but with more bite. Also nicely handled
is the guitar work of Greg Duncan, who spins out nicely on a multitempoed
In Your Own Sweet Way. Again, thoughtful music, worth a listen.
For those of you who like thoughtful writing for a big band in the manner
of the Jones/Lewis big band, you should check out kirk MacDonald’s Jazz
Orchestra, Family Suite for Large Ensemble on Addo Records, #AJRO13.
The Family Suite tells a fine tale, punctuated by some of the finest jazz
minds from Canada, including P.J. Perry, Kevin Turcotte, Lorne Lofsky,
Neal Swainson, Barry Romberg, and so forth. Again, good original big
band work. Sounds fresh. Nice. kirk MacDonald on Addo Records.
Niels Lyhne Lokkegaard has at least an interest recording of ambient
music called Vesper on Hiatuso Records, #4. The leader plays
saxophone, and the group is made up of Jakob Buchanan on flugelhorn,
Jakob Bro on guitar, Marilyn Mazur on percussion, Ole Visdby on
clarinet, Tine Vitkov on clarinet also, Birgit Bogh Sǿnderiis also on
clarinet, and the last clarinet is Mette Stoktoft. The printing is small.
This is a record of sound, organized sound, ambient sound, if
you will, mindful a bit of what Bill Dixon used to do with space,
32 | CadenCe Magazine | april May June 2013