Ralph Peterson 35th Annual Student Music Awards - Downbeat

68 DoWNBEAt JUNE 2012
Luis Perdomo
Universal Mind
RKM 1164
★★★★
Pianist Luis Perdomo raises the bar significantly
on this scintillating trio outing by connecting
with one of his all-time heroes—Jack
DeJohnette. Throughout the disc, the two
exhibit a flinty accord that suggests that they’ve
been playing together for at least two consecutive
decades. Nevertheless, this is their first
meeting. And what a spectacular one, best illustrated
on “Unified Path I” and “Unified Path
II.” Both cuts are completely spot-on improvisations
with Perdomo pecking out a fetching
melody that blossoms into a wondrous explorations
filled with jarring harmonies and dramatic
momentum underneath DeJohnette’s equally
inventive and melodically cogent rhythmic
Roscoe Mitchell
Numbers
ROGUE ART 0036
★★★1/2
In Bill Shoemaker’s liner notes, he argues that
music appreciation is a matter of context. It is
also a question of experience and references.
Therefore, Numbers should not be viewed as a
new chamber work for the reason that most of
the musicians performing these solo and duo
pieces by reed player Roscoe Mitchell come
from a particular musical sphere. They have also
tested the improvised music and jazz waters.
In the jazz realm, Mitchell has developed a
reputation for pushing the envelope. As a
result, this collection of works can appear
fairly academic. Still, their relative classicism
should not overshadow the pure pleasure they
provide. Moreover, the composer’s musical
idiosyncrasies still transpire through pianist
Stephen Rush’s rendition of the three movements
of “8/8/88” that can be best described
as dissonant boogie; or through the sorrowful
“Sketches,” whose romantic aspirations are
torpedoed by bass player Hans Strum.
The three-part “Bells For New Orleans”
provides an unexpected sonic diversion while
counterpoints.
Bassist Drew Gress functions as the propulsive
glue between Perdomo and DeJohnette.
It helps that Gress has already established winning
rapport with them in separate ensembles.
And while invigorating improvisations distinguish
much of Universal Mind, Perdomo
doesn’t rely upon that alone. He comes with
a solid collection of originals and two keenly
chosen standards. The disc blasts off with
a quicksilver rendition of Joe Henderson’s
“Tetragon” that finds the trio developing a joyous,
elastic swing that propels Perdomo’s granite-hard
melody and labyrinthine improvisations.
The trio also refurbishes DeJohnette’s
“Tin Can Alley” marvelously. Its 1980-recorded
version showcased a slower tempo with
saxophones, clarinets and cello. Perdomo’s
scaled-down makeover is decidedly leaner and
swifter, with Perdomo’s nimble piano improvisations
racing across DeJohnette’s lacerating
polyrhythms and Gress’ jutting bass lines.
Perdomo delivers some noteworthy originals,
too, particularly the lovely “Langnau,”
which discreetly shows both his Latin roots
and his debt to McCoy Tyner, the danceable
yet adventurous “Just Before,” and “Above The
Storm,” a gorgeous ballad that comes with an
instantly singable melody. On the latter tune,
Perdomo also reveals that he can elicit musical
sparks while lowering all the feisty friction to a
glimmer. —John Murph
Universal Mind: Tetragon; Langnau; Rebellious Contemplation;
United Path I; Just Before; United Path II; Tin Can Alley; Above The
Storm; Gene’s Crown; Dance Of The Elephants; Doppio. (60:13)
Personnel: Luis Perdomo, piano; Drew Gress, bass; Jack De-
Johnette, drums.
ordering info: rkmmusic.com
three poems by e.e. cummings expressively
sung by baritone Thomas Buckner find their
roots in the Lied tradition. —Alain Drouot
Numbers: Bells For New Orleans (prelude); 9/9/99; Sketches; Because
It’s; This; Dim; Bells For New Orleans; WR/C 2A Opus I;
8/8/88 1st Movement; 8/8/88 2nd Movement; 8/8/88 3rd Movement;
9/9/09; Bells For New Orleans (postlude). (65:10)
Personnel: Roscoe Mitchell, alto sax (8); Thomas Buckner, baritone
(4, 5, 6); Joseph Kubera, piano (2, 4, 5, 6); Stephen Rush,
piano (9, 10, 11); Joan Wildman, piano (3); Nils Bultmann, viola (12);
Vartan Manoogian, violin (2); Hans Sturm, bass (3); William Winant,
tubular bells (1, 13), orchestra bells (7), vibraphone (8).
ordering info: roguart.com