Quartet: Vortices by Nate Lepine.
Bandcamp Link: Quartet: Vortices
A few weeks back I covered a record by Quin Kirchner’s group called The Other Side of Time.
Nate Lepine played in that group and some of the most interesting songs on that album were their takes on Charles Mingus’ songs.
This album is under Mr Lepine’s name, but also includes Mr Kirchner.
And while the music of Mingus isn’t covered literally, it is here spiritually.
And while Mr Sorey’s groups, “are not a jazz group,” Mr Kirchner and Mr Lepine’s groups pointedly ARE playing in modern versions of the Jazz idiom.
There is some really outstanding writing and playing here, the rhythm section, Mr Kirchner and Sommers, are especially fantastically propulsive, making it hard not to tap along and enjoy the music.
The interplay of the two saxophonists, Lepine on Tenor and Mazarella on Alto, feels like the work of a couple, players who can complete each other’s sentences. And, man, can they play precision harmony.
I don’t know if this group has played together a lot, but the whole group feels like one who is used to cooking together.
The melodic writing is often in what I call “Noir Jazz” mode, but the intervals are less minor than pure blues, and often very interestingly evoke 20th century composers like Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein.
If you’re looking for a modern Jazz album that is a pure joy to listen to, and hum along to, this is a great one.
#NateLepine #QuartetVortices #NickMazzarella #ClarkSommers #QuinKirchner #TodaysCommuteSoundtrack
