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Steve Coleman and Five Elements: Functional Arrhythmias
ByColeman reenlists the kinetic rhythm-section of Anthony Tidd (electric bass) and Sean Rickman (drums) who appeared on The Sonic Language of Myth ((RCA Victor, 1999). The two provide a groove center throughout the set as Coleman and young trumpet star Jonathan Finlayson provide the leads and tight vamps in the funky opener "Sinews" and the fragmented cooker "Snap-sis." Add to the mix guitarist Miles Okazaki, who's proven to be another intrepid artist as he adds color and texture in the intriguing Henry Threadgill-esque contrapuntalism on "Lymph Swag (Dance of the Leukocytes)."
Like other perceptive bandleaders, the caliber of these younger musicians speaks of Coleman's listening abilities. Tidd's electric bass is supple yet pronounced with nuanced punctuations and Rickman's multicolored traps dance with accuracy and nuance. The connection between Coleman and Finlayson is superb, the saxophone's alto countering and engaging the young trumpeter's lyricism. Coleman's heady compositions have, at times, diminished the fact that he's an excellent saxophonist, as evinced in "Cerebellum Lean"'s swaying groove or the tender balladry in "Respiratory Flow."
The intriguing title refers "to the irrational rhythms found in healthy human heartbeat patterns and many of its compositions utilize the heartbeat pulse," with Coleman crediting drummer/percussionist Milford Graves for providing inspiration for his pioneering research on the subject matter. At the end of the day, though, it is about the music, and this release provides stimulation for both the mind and body.
Track Listing
Sinews; Medulla-Vagus; Chemical Intuition; Cerebrum Crossover; Limbic Cry; Cardiovascular; Respiratory Flow; Irregular Heartbeats; Cerebellum Lean; Lymph Swag (Dance of the Leukocytes); Adrenal, Got Ghost; Assim-Elim; Hormone Trig; Snap-sis.
Personnel
Steve Coleman
saxophone, altoSteve Coleman: alto saxophone; Jonathan Finlayson: trumpet; Anthony Tidd: electric bass; Sean Rickman: drums; Miles Okazaki: guitar (2, 6, 8, 10, 11).
Album information
Title: Functional Arrhythmias | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Pi Recordings
Comments
About Steve Coleman
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
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