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Mosaic: Subterranea
ByOn "Kaira Konko" the listener might be reminded of the compositions of Michael Gibbs who skillfully used the interplay of vibraphone and cello on his earliest albums. Wyld's sustain-rich technique here is actually not unlike Gibbs's vibraphonist on these albums, Frank Ricotti. James Copus turns in a lithe flugelhorn solo here too.
Spacey, echoey string effects dominate "Interlude I" acting as a precursor to the title track, Wyld's delicate vibraphone introducing the track, shortly accompanied by the strings and horns. Wyld solos convincingly and his playing at times is even reminiscent of one of the maestros of the vibraphone Gary Burton.
A reprise of the sonic effects of "Interlude" heralds the penultimate piece, "Cryptogram" initially evoking the angular dissonance characterised by that other master of the vibraphone Bobby Hutcherson. The number evolves to incorporate the toe-tapping yet surgically precise drumming of Scott Chapman and then segues into the closer "Reprise" which elicits more exquisite Gibbs-like vibraphone / cello interplay, soon attended by a sumptuous, elegiac ensemble finale.
The jazz-world is not over-endowed with vibraphonist-led groups so this album, rich in strong and irresistible compositions makes a decidedly refreshing change.
Track Listing
White Horses; Kaira Konko; Interlude I; Subterranea; Interlude II; Cryptogram; Reprise.
Personnel
Mosaic
saxophone, tenorRalph Wyld: vibraphone; James Copus: trumpet, flugelhorn; Sam Rapley: clarinet, bass clarinet; Cecilia Bignall: cello; Misha Mullov-Abbado: double bass; Scott Chapman: drums, percussion.
Album information
Title: Subterranea | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Edition Records
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About Mosaic
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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