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Peter Brendler and John Abercrombie: The Angle Below
ByAbercrombie has a long and distinguished discography, with over 50 albums as leader. Brendler, the younger man by about four decades, doesn't quite match that number, but his reputation is building. Brendler takes the lion's share of composer creditssix, to Abercrombie's three, plus a cover of Gordon Jenkins' "Goodbye." There's a gentle, almost genteel, quality to the tunes with Brendler's earthy, full, bass tone contrasting well with Abercrombie's bright, metallic electric guitar.
In 2010 Brendler joined drummer Barry Altschul on Jon Irabagon's Foxy (Hot Cup Records), a full-on, fiery, high-energy slab of jazz that took few, if any, prisoners. It also demonstrated Brendler's power and strength as a player. The Angle Below requires a different set of skills from the bassista subtler, more nuanced approach to the instrument. He shows himself to be eminently accomplished at thishis composition for solo bass, "Rockaway," is calm and meditative.
One of the most impressive features of The Angle Below is the way in which the interplay between Brendler and Abercrombie develops within each tune. There are unison passages but for the most part the two musicians work as a lead and rhythm duo. While that might suggest a traditional partnership with the guitar taking on the melody and the bass establishing a rhythmic foundation this collaboration finds both men moving between the two. Abercrombie's "Jazz Folk" is an especially fine example of this interplay, but it's a common motif across the album. The switches between roles are achieved so smoothly that it takes a few seconds to realize that they've happened, a testament to the relationship that the players have on this beautifully-recorded and rewarding album.
Track Listing
Downhill Runner; Half Dozen Of The Other; Nick Of Time; Valdoviño; Jazz Folk; Misdirection; Rockaway; Six Of One; Sweet 126; Goodbye.
Personnel
Peter Brendler
bassPeter Brendler: bass; John Abercrombie: guitar.
Album information
Title: The Angle Below | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: SteepleChase Records
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