James Emery/Joe Lovano/Judi Silvano/Drew Gress: Fourth World (2001)

Glenn Astarita

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

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Published: May 4, 2002

James Emery/Joe Lovano/Judi Silvano/Drew Gress: Fourth World

The title of this newly issued recording might ordinarily imply notions of poverty and human rights, but in the liners, guitarist James Emery iterates that the Fourth World “is the world, or dimension, of vibration.” We are presented with four world-class musicians pursuing good vibes on this astutely constructed 2002 release.

Joe Lovano performs on a variety of woodwind instruments here, yet on certain tracks he also mans the drum kit, also evidenced on his recent Flights Of Fancy outing. A minor beef is in order for the decision of not utilizing a seasoned drummer, as Lovano is prone to sound tentative amid choppy and uninteresting fills. However, his activities behind the kit do not detract from the recording when viewed upon as a whole, as the musicians surreptitiously translate polytonal pastiches of sound through often-compelling exchanges. On many of these works, the band is apt to break off into briefly actualized sub-groups. Alternatively, on pieces such as “Fourth World,” Judi Silvano renders whispery vocalise in unison with her associates’ complex themes. The quartet pronounces an airy backdrop via loosely formulated dialogue or when Lovano and acoustic guitarist James Emery partake in blistering cat-and-mouse like episodes.

Emery executes razor sharp single note lines and sweeping chord progressions during “La Scala,” while also counterbalancing Lovano with emphatically placed accents on their duet encounter titled “The Next Level.” Throughout this affair, bassist Drew Gress serves as the traffic director, while Ms. Silvano picks up the flute on the Caribbean tinged closer, “Hannah’s Song.” The musicians bring a mélange of experience to the table as they elicit notions of wide open terrain or expansive horizons, while touching upon the preternatural minutiae of the Fourth Dimension. Recommended.

Track Listing: 1.Bellflower 2.Golden Horn 3.Fourth World 4.Worship 5.Splendido 6.La Scala 7.The Next Level 8.In A Secret Place 9.Hannah

Personnel: James Emery: acoustic guitar - Joe Lovano: tenor, soprano, C melody, straight alto saxophones, alto clarinet, bells, shakers, gongs, log drums & drums - Judi Silvano: flute & voice - Drew Gress: acoustic bass

Record Label: Between the Lines
Style: Modern Jazz