Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Steve Lehman Octet: Mise en Abîme

9

Steve Lehman Octet: Mise en Abîme

By

Sign in to view read count
Steve Lehman Octet: Mise en Abîme
It's been five years since Steve Lehman's last Octet album, so we're now voracious for more expanded material. Right at the start, his alto saxophone is briefly alone, and then the entire ensemble weighs in, earthy yet finely controlled. Chris Dingman's customised vibraphone is absolutely central to the sound of these Lehman originals, most of which are notably brief and pointed in their attack. At a mere 40 minutes, this is a very succinct jazz album, in the old-time way.

It might not be immediately apparent to the listener, but Lehman has taken the bones of three Bud Powell tunes, laying Spectral robes on them. Ultimately, the academic process still sounds like a naturally delivered gutbucket complexity. Mark Shim growls and the leader makes agitated squiggles, against the backdrop (or foredrop) of turbulent flow, punctured by sudden emphatic detonations. Dingman produces clouds of luminous vibes-dust, as "Glass Enclosure Transcription" is driven by a rugged Jose Davila tuba-line. This bracing nerd-funk is underpinned by the ceaseless scattering activity of Tyshawn Sorey, who still finds time to tinker way beyond the beat.

Doomy electro-clouds gather during "Autumn Interlude," with its dark Michael Nyman-oid pulse, Lehman and Shim gabbling a conversation in hyper-time. Now it's Drew Gress's turn for a potent bass rumble, topped by a nimble 'bone solo, with bonus electro-whorls. By the climactic stretch, they're all sounding somewhat like a futuristic reincarnation of the Count Basie band.

Track Listing

Segregated and Sequential; 13 Colors; Glass Enclosure Transcription; Codes: Brice Wassy; Autumn Interlude; Beyond All Limits; Chimer/Luchini; Parisian Thoroughfare Transcription.

Personnel

Steve Lehman
saxophone, alto

Steve Lehman: alto saxophone, electronics; Mark Shim: tenor saxophone; Jonathan Finlayson: trumpet; Tim Albright: trombone; Chris Dingman: vibraphone; Jose Davila: tuba; Drew Gress: bass; Tyshawn Sorey: drums.

Album information

Title: Mise en Abîme | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Pi Recordings

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.