Bruno Raberg: Presence

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: September 1, 2000

Bassist Bruno Raberg continues to intertwine Scandinavian folk themes with modern jazz style dialogue and invention on compositions such as “Runestones” and elsewhere on this newly released project titled, Presence. Yet, the bassist along with multi-reedman Ole Mathisen and drummer Marcello Pellitteri perform a series of imaginative and at times meditative pieces while maintaining a noticeable degree of solidarity, warmth and depth. Throughout, the listener is treated to Mathisen’s airy choruses, Raberg’s booming yet disciplined multifunctional bass lines and Pellitteri’s expert capacity for utilizing his cymbals as vehicles for tonal shading. Hence, an overall sense of intimacy prevails. However, the musicians go full throttle with blazing solos on several occasions as they articulate a bevy of peaks and valleys within the context of Raberg’s invigorating themes and softly stated melodies.

The band members often swap hearty notions while performing brief yet purposeful solos as they jointly pursue effective means for reaffirming the primary themes amid subtle dialogue on pieces such as “Sculpture II and Sculpture I”. - Raberg steers the circuitous course alongside Mathisen’s simple, understated lines as the trio engages in some vivacious call and response on “Twin Spirits”, while the musicians also stagger the flow yet increase the momentum in quick-witted and at times beguiling fashion.

Presence might signify Bruno Raberg’s finest solo effort to date, thanks in part, to the bassist’s subliminally complex frameworks, symmetrical arrangements and strong leadership. Recommended!

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Personnel:

Bruno Raberg; Acoustic Bass: Ole Mathisen; Soprano & Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet: Marcello Pellitteri; Drums & Percussion

Track listing: 1) Runestones 2) Jaquemonti Birch 3) Procession 4) Sculpture II 5) Twin Spirits 6) Berg-Kirsti

Record Label: Orbis Music
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream