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Johannes Wallmann: Precarious Towers
ByPrecarious Towers, Wallmann's 2022 offering, finds the pianist bringing in a different quintet, one which proves itself as adept as its predecessor at creating inspired music, via the leader's inspired compositions.
Just as it was with his Elegy For An Undiscovered Species, the group opens Precarious Towers with the title tune, a fun, relaxed romp inspired by Lego buildings constructed---in perhaps a not quite up-to-code mannerby Wallmann's young daughter. The follow-up is "McCoy," a dense, dark nod to pianist McCoy Tyner. "Angel Eyes," the disc's only non-original, also brings out Wallmann's inner Tyner, churning to life on some muscular chording. Mitch Shiner's vibraphone adds a harmonic enrichment to the sound, not dissimilar to what the strings did for Elegy For an Undiscovered Species. The group dynamic is near perfection. On this tune saxophonist Sharel Cassity nestles herself inside the ensemble sound beautifullyuntil the final minute, when she steps out with stylewhile bassist John Christensen and drummer Devin Drobka give the rhythm a riveting edge.
The album also includes what could be called the "Pandemica Suite," a three-part observation of the effects of Covid: the spare "Pandemica I: Quiet Out There;" then the pensive "Pandemica II: Unreliable Narrator;" and the wrap-up, the determined and relentless "Pandemica III: Defeat and Imprison The Conman Strongman," where, fittingly, the ensemble plays with an unerring cohesion and like-minded urgency and verve.
Wallmann and the crew close with "Saturday Night Meat Raffle," something which apparently happens in Wallmann's adopted home state of Wisconsin. Strange title, beautiful tune, crafted with the precision and originality of pianist Herbie Hancock's pre-fusion Blue Note Records outings.
Track Listing
Precarious Towers; McCoy; December; Angel Eyes; Never Pet A Burning Dog; Pandemica I: Quiet Out There; Pandemica II: Unreliable Narrator; Pandemica III: Defeat and Imprison The Conman Strongman; Try To Remember; Saturday Night Meat Raffle.
Personnel
Johannes Wallmann
pianoSharel Cassity
saxophoneMitch Shiner
vibraphoneJohn Christensen
bassDevin Drobka
drumsAlbum information
Title: Precarious Towers | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Shifting Paradigm Records
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About Johannes Wallmann
Instrument: Piano
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