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Marc Mommaas: Landmarc
ByConsider his ensemble concept on Landmarc: his own understated, veering tenor; the intuitive guitar of Nate Radley; the drums of Tony Moreno, who plays everything but time. On five of nine cryptic Mommaas compositions, a second guitarist joins, either Vic Juris or Rez Abbasi. There is no bassist.
The title track has mixed meters and a melody that gets longer phrase by phrase. The pieces with two guitarists present layers of melody and counterpoint. But the primary sonic impression is sparseness and openness, not complexity. Mommaas' instrumental format is so conducive to creative expression that it is surprising more jazz musicians haven't tried it. Of course, not many trios (or two-guitar quartets) could function in such a stark landscape. Moreno rustles in the near distance, Radley threads mysterious chords or ticks like a Dali clock and Mommaas flows into one unexpected idea after another. For such a bold thinker, Mommaas has uncommon patience and discipline. He never seems to hurry, yet on the title track and "Cassavetes Caravan" and "ASAP," his momentum carries him into whirling dances. But the best pieces are the hypnotic slow burns and the liberated lullabies. The rubato "Folksong" (inspired by Keith Jarrett's "My Song") and "Little One" (for Mommaas' daughter), are delicate yet fervent.
Landmarc is a breakout recording for Mommaas and also for Nate Radley. There are guitarists who live on the edge and guitarists who play pretty. Few, like Radley, do both. His solos here are intriguing elaborations of the ideas that Mommaas has put in place and his accompaniment suggests rich new ideas for Mommaas to pursue.
Track Listing
Landmarc; Folksong; Brush on Canvas; Legend; Little One; Orbit; Patience; Cassavetes Caravan; ASAP.
Personnel
Marc Mommaas
saxophone, tenorMark Mommaas: tenor saxophone; Nate Radley: guitar; Tony Moreno: drums; Vic Juris: guitar (2, 6, 9); Rez Abbasi: guitar (4), sitar (8).
Album information
Title: Landmarc | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records
Comments
About Marc Mommaas
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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