Drew Gress: Spin and Drift

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

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

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Published: August 1, 2001

Here, bassist Drew Gress mans the helm to what is essentially, alto saxophonist Tim Berne's "Paraphrase" trio - plus pianist/composer Uri Caine. Spin and Drift signifies a symbiotic union of like-minded musicians, as Gress executes his booming, robust bass lines on buoyant pieces such as the opener, "Disappearing Act 1" and "Jet Precipice," where the quartet effortlessly engages themes constructed upon vacillating rhythms and intricately executed undercurrents. However, the musicians' often cheery, upbeat demeanor and gleaming approach to these altogether bustling pieces only enhances the overall production.

Throughout, Berne and Caine emit an abundance of hard-edged yet at times, melodically based solos as they intertwine free-bop style lines with forward thinking notions, although the band occasionally veers off the main course via a series of climactic passages and harmonious choruses. With "The Sledmouth Chronicles," Berne switches over to baritone sax for a work, brimming with rolling and tumbling overtures and extroverted group dialogue, while Gress and drummer Tom Rainey provide more than enough ammo for the soloists' no nonsense style interplay. Without further ado, Gress and co. deliver the goods in prominent fashion! Recommended.

Premonition Records on the web,

Track Listing: Disappearing, Act 1; Torque; It was after rain that the angel came; Jet Precipice; Aquamarine; The Sledmouth Chronicles; Here, at the bottom of the sky?; Pang; New Leaf

Personnel: Drew Gress; acoustic bass, pedal steel guitar: Tim Berne; alto & baritone sax: Uri Caine; piano: Tom Rainey; drums

Record Label: Premonition Records
Style: Modern Jazz