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Andrea Marcelli: Beyond the Blue
ByBut while his first two records were clearly fusion in nature, they did demonstrate more diverse musical concerns. Now with Beyond the Blue he pares things down, going for purer approach and a broader reach. Mike Stern may, again, be involved, but the context is definitely not fusion. With a rhythm section that includes pianist Mitchel Forman and Eddie Gomez, along with saxophonist Bob Mintzer, the direction is decidedly acoustic. The harmonies and melodies reflect the romanticism, lyricism and impressionism of Marcelli's European background (though he is now a naturalized U.S. citizen) rather than the more aggressive stance of his earlier recordings.
Still, there's no question that Marcelli can swing when he needs to, as he does on "Between the Poles," an harmonically ambiguous composition that is propelled by Gomez and Marcelli's interplayall the more remarkable for this being a session that was recorded in a single day. The title track demonstrates how far Marcelli has come as a player since his last recording; with a looser, more elastic time sense, he often provides a clear pulse more by implication than overt rhythm.
Demonstrating Marcelli's interest in Brazilian music, the gentle bossa "Summer Nights" features Forman's Evans-inflected playing, as does the more impressionistic ECM ambience of "Herbst (Autumn)." While there is a world of difference between Stern and John Abercrombie, "Orange Green" bears some lineage to Abercrombie's early-'80s quartet. "The Meaning of the Family" may resolve into a lightly funky affair rhythmically for Stern's solo space but ultimately demonstrates Marcelli's more evocative long-form sense of composition.
In fact, while Marcelli's compositions bear little resemblance to the work of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays stylistically, there is a similarity in the travelogue-like nature of his writing. The title track may be a mere six minutes long, but it navigates from melancholic suggestion to light swing to deeper intensity and sheer power. Marcelli's compositions transcend simple melody, transporting the listener to places known and unknown, eliciting hidden emotions.
Beyond the Blue represents something of a quantum leap for Marcelli as a player, but more notably as a writer. There's a maturity of concept, a clarity of vision, that makes Beyond the Blue something of a watershed for Marcelli, encouraging the hope that another nine years won't have to pass before he records again.
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Track Listing
Between Poles; Summer Nights; Herbst (Autumn); The Meaning of the Family; Beyond the Blue; Orange Green; Fragments; Distances; Still; Retirantes; Emotions; Welcome
Personnel
Andrea Marcelli
percussionAndrea Marcelli (drums, clarinet, additional synthesizer, percussion), Mitchel Forman (piano), Eddie Gomez (acoustic bass), Bob Mintzer (tenor saxophone), Mike Stern (guitar)
Album information
Title: Beyond the Blue | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Art of Life Records
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About Andrea Marcelli
Instrument: Percussion
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