Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Drori Mondlak: Point In Time
Drori Mondlak: Point In Time
ByStrassmayer has rightly become known for her ability to swing and bop in commanding ways. But here we are also treated to a beautiful lyricism driven by DeNigris' extraordinary chordal mastery. This makes for a surprisingly mellow program whose opener, "Sweet Tooth," features an engagingly restrained drum solo. On the version of Frank Foster's "Simone" that follows, LaSpina and Strassmayer combine for a gorgeous intro.
DeNigris' compositional skills are on display for four of the eight tunes. His "Brenna's Morning" is a wonderfully delicate piece, coupling lacelike chords with Strassmayer's emotive flute and LaSpina's touching arco. Though Strassmayer and DeNigris spit fire during the session's bluesier and boppier moments, more appealing is their conversational rapport on the intricate "No Name Blues" and delightfully melancholy ballad "Without a View" or that of Mondlak and DeNigris on the funky closer "The Prance." Flawlessly engineered and mastered, the intimate interconnections of this exquisite Point In Time are expertly captured.
Track Listing
Sweet Tooth; Simone; Brenna's Morning; No Name Blues; It Once Was A Waltz; Without A View; I've Paid Some Blues; The Prance.
Personnel
Drori Mondlak
drumsDrori Mondlak: drums; Karolina Strassmayer: alto saxophone, flute; Cary DeNigris: guitar; Steve LaSpina: bass.
Album information
Title: Point In Time | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Lilypad Music