John Tchicai: John Tchicai's Infintesimal Flash

By

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor - Since 1997

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

1,479 articles published | Recent:

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Published: April 1, 2000

With Infinitesimal Flash revered woodwind specialist John Tchicai teams with the extremely talented tenor saxophonist Francis Wong which makes for a formidable and thoroughly adventurous front-line sax section. As one would presuppose, the musicians explore the outer reaches of jazz boundaries by incorporating power, tenacity and divergent ideologies while merging world beat motifs in seamless fashion. The fun begins on the opening track titled, “Kippiology” featuring the explosive rhythms supplied by bassist Adam Lane and drummer Mat Marucci in support of an engaging theme and heated interplay between the dual tenor saxophonists. “Autumn Moon” evolves into a high-octane burner as Mr. Tchicai picks up the soprano sax and provides a startling contrast to Wong’s deft flute work through various movements. The piece titled, “Melvin Truss” commences with soft ethnocentric tom tom work by Marucci, the saxophonist’s delicate phraseology and otherworldly overtones and ethnic characteristics. Throughout, the musicians weave in and out of a multitude of vividly portrayed themes amid the often heated soloing by the band members. With compositions such as “The Boat” and “T’s Groove”, the musicians toggle between hard core swing, free-bop motifs, solid rock-funk backbeats and fervent dialogue. The title track and closer, “Infinitesimal Flash” features the poignant yet ethereal spoken word narrative by guest artist, jazz industry luminary and friend to many a jazz musician, Mr. Glenn Ito who elicits our imaginative powers amid booming bass lines and undulating currents provided by the soloist’s.

It should be of little surprise that there is not one lackluster or uninspiring microsecond on this fine outing! Then again, we wouldn’t expect anything less from these proven professionals as they sustain their respective and quite noteworthy assaults on compositional structure while displaying superlative improvisational tactics along the way! Recommended.......* * * *

Personnel:

John Tchicai; Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute & Voice: Francis Wong; Tenor Saxophone & Flute: Adam Lane; Bass: Mat Marucci; Drums & Percussion.

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Record Label: Buzz Records | Style: Modern Jazz