New Release Round-up,
Jazz New Release Round-Up - 11th March 2021
For this week’s new release picks, we begin with the newest recording from Berlin-based drummer Diego Pinera, who dives headfirst into the world of odd-time on Odd Wisdom, as well as a live recording by Pat Thomas playing pieces by Anthony Braxton. Saxophonist Hakon Kornstad’s Out of the Loop makes interesting use of the saxophone as a solo instrument, while Fire!’s latest recording pairs back the usual Orchestra’s lineup and allows its core trio to shine. Young guitarist Philipp Wisser leads a quintet of up-and-coming German players, and a trio led by Marc Crofts try their hand at ‘nomad jazz’ on Nomadim.
Drummer Diego Pinera has lived in the German capital of Berlin since 2003. Engrossed in the city’s metropolitan sounds, Pinera alongside his saxophonist Donny McCaslin, guitarist Ben Monder and bassist Scott Colley, Odd Wisdom sees the group taking on many odd time signature songs with his trio, all with this fluid folk-infused style. A deeply personal release for Pinera, it’s one he’s been working towards for years, and brings together many sounds from the drummer’s background.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
A live recording taken from Konfrontation Festival in Ulrichsberg 2006, as the title suggests this record features six early works by Anthony Braxton. Pat Thomas offered this recording when Discus asked for a recording from his personal archive; perhaps he had fond memories of this show, because the quintet’s energy is absolutely off the charts. A wild, angular and unpredictable show; much to the delight of the audience.
Available Format: CD
Saxophonist Hakon Kornstad recorded his latest recording, Out of the Loop during lockdown in Sofienberg Church, Oslo. Recorded entirely solo, the majority of sounds on this record are generated either from Kornstad’s sax or his own voice; using looped melodies and percussive sounds created by the sax - almost reminiscent of the similarly experimental saxophonist Colin Stetson - as well as some electronically generated or from Kornstad’s Flutonette (a flute with a reed mouthpiece). All in all there’s some unique textures on here, of course the tunes themselves stand on their own too; ‘Oslo’, for instance, is a moody but funky ode to his home city, while ‘Waking Arp’ has a certain dreamy yet haunting quality with its echoing saxophone arpeggios.
Available Format: CD
You might be familiar with Fire! Orchestra, the 28-piece Swedish big band group. ‘Fire!’ comprises its core trio; saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, bassist Johan Berthling and drummer Andreas Werlin. There are points on Defeat that bring to mind that big band sound, particularly with Gustaffson’s multi-tracked sax lines, but also plentiful screeching electronica and tight-as-anything grooves from the rhythm section. There’s some hypnotic bass throne in, and Gustafsson even gives the flute a whirl for this recording, too.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Guitarist Philipp Wisser leads a band of young German jazz talent, while also making his recording debut. Wisser and co. have a tidy yet raw style, the man himself taking cues from modern greats like Julian Lage in his playing, though he takes on a clearer bebop style here and there too. The way Wisser makes use of bandmates Ruven Weithöner and Christoph Klenner’s trumpet and sax respectively to beef up the melodies makes it more than a ‘guitar jazz’ album, though. Dynamic tunes make for both moody and energetic moments from the quintet; there’s much to enjoy on this young guitarist’s debut.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Joshua Lee - Jazz Content
