Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dave Burrell: Momentum

398

Dave Burrell: Momentum

By

Sign in to view read count
Dave Burrell: Momentum
For the first time in almost thirty years, pianist Dave Burrell returned to the studio to record as a leader with William Parker and Andrew Cyrille on 2004's Expansion (High Two). Momentum features Burrell recording for the first time with bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Guillermo E. Brown, continuing to explore the classic piano trio format. With this new blood, Burrell hones in on the jazz tradition with intensity and focus, delivering one of the finest statements of his career.

Burrell explores a variety of moods from introspective to assertive on six new compositions, half of which ("Downfall," "4:30 to Atlanta," "Broken Promise") were composed to accompany Oscar Micheaux's 1925 silent film, Body and Soul, and a sublime new arrangement of "Coup d'Etat." Many of Burrell's recent pieces are inspired by the current tempestuous political climate, providing the session with an undercurrent of bluesy melancholy and dramatic tension.

Burrell is in fantastic form, his playing assured and resolute, his focus and commitment to the tunes palpable. He launches splintery fragments over the lumbering, deconstructed funk groove of "Downfall" with impetuous nerve. Conversely, his tender, regal touch on "Fade to Black" is delivered with conviction and restraint, almost neo-classical in its austerity and grace.

The title track finds him boisterous and exploratory, expelling cascades of fleeting notes and crushing block chords as Formanek and Brown accent his labyrinthine excursions. The closing cut, "Coup d'Etat," reprised from Expansion, swings leisurely at first, and then shifts tempos as Burrell casually navigates the changes.

Perfectly suited to Burrell's open-ended aesthetic, Formanek and Brown accompany him with elastic timing and a malleable compromise between structure and freedom. Modulating with endless variation through individual song forms, they maintain edgy forward momentum without losing track of the individual tunes' framework.

Burrell is a magnanimous leader, allowing his able-bodied sidemen equal time in the spotlight. Formanek delivers a striking bowed bass solo on the opening of "Fade to Black" and plucks sultry, lyrical statements throughout "Cool Reception." Brown introduces "4:30 to Atlanta" with a roiling and turbulent drum solo, subtly accompanied by Burrell's muted chords and Formanek's slippery bass work.

Momentum is a mature and haunting album from an acknowledged master—and a definitive statement from an underappreciated legend.

Track Listing

Downfall; Broken Promise; Fade to Black; 4:30 to Atlanta; Cool Reception; Momentum; Coup d'Etat.

Personnel

Dave Burrell: piano, Michael Formanek: bass; Guillermo E. Brown: drums.

Album information

Title: Momentum | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: High Two 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.