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Alon Nechustan: Venture Bound
ByThis record, perhaps more than any other in Nechustan's discography, is the sum of the pianist-composer's beliefs. He doesn't paint himself into a specific corner or rely on a single guiding principle here. Instead, he simply tears down the walls of stylistic separation in his work, delivering a record that may be the truest representation of his artistic self.
Nechustan's interests in Middle Eastern-tinged creations, odd meters, direct melodies, and rhythmic rabble-rousing are on display throughout this date. As a soloist he's capable of setting the mood via gorgeous sound painting, hammering down chordal proclamations, or casting off sprinting sixteenth note runs; as a composer, he's capable of anything. Twist-and-turn constructs (mostly) in seven ("L'Avventura"), sunny silk-spun melodies that betray his roots ("The Gratitude Suite"), a somewhat Monk-ish creation ("Serpentrails"), an adrenaline-fueled danger ride ("Pome(Grenades"), and a taste of the old school ("Haunted Blues") all surface at one time or another.
The music on Venture Bound is basically built around a foursome, with Nechustan joining forces with bassist Chris Lightcap, drummer Adam Cruz, and one of two saxophonistseither John Ellis, who immediately establishes himself as a force to be reckoned with on "L'Avventura," or the ever-impressive Donny McCaslin. A few guests drop intrumpeter Duane Eubanks expands the frontline on a couple of occasions, oud player Brahim Fribgane re-contextualizes the group's sound on "Dark Damsel," and percussionist Rogerio Boccato adds a dash of percussive coloringbut this record still plays out as a four-man operation.
Thus far, Alon Nechustan's recorded oeuvre has marked him as a restless and wandering spirit; that's what continually makes his work so interesting. Venture Bound finds him looking out in all directions, sharing wondrous views within anybody willing to look and listen.
Track Listing
L'Avventura; The Gratitude Suite; Pome (Grenades); Dark Damsel; Sneak Peak; Haunted Blues; Snow-Flow; F.A.Q.; Serpentrails.
Personnel
Alon Nechustan: piano; Donny McCaslin: tenor saxophone (2, 4, 6, 8); John Ellis: tenor saxophone (1, 3, 5, 7, 9); Chris Lightcap: bass; Duane Eubanks: trumpet (2, 6); Roggerio Boccato: percussion (2); Brahim Fribgane: oud (4).
Album information
Title: Venture Bound | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Enja Records