Ivo Perelman, Nate Wooley, Matt Moran, Mark Helias, Tom Rainey: A Modicum Of The Blues

An intrepid and groundbreaking saxophonist, Ivo Perelman excels in the company of like-minded artists. Thus, the majority of his work is either in duos or with small ensembles. The soulful A Modicum of the Blues is an entirely improvised five-movement suite featuring a quintet of long-standing collaborators. It is a masterful blend of fiery spontaneity and contemplative quietude enveloped in a cinematic ambience.

"Part 1" opens with dramatic flair as the musicians alternate brief phrases interspersed with silent pauses. As the track evolves, it becomes more passionate, with drummer Tom Rainey propelling the performance with his thunderous beats. Vibraphonist Matt Moran contributes a resonant cascade of notes while bassist Mark Helias adds darker hues with his angular lines. Over these thrilling polyrhythms, Perelman and trumpeter Nate Wooley blow incandescent melodies. The controlled riot of this exciting repartee fades into a serene melancholy.

Wooley's warm tones start "Part 2" with a touch of whimsy. Perelman's sinewy tenor weaves a shimmering thread within the band's dynamic cadence. The piece transforms into a delightfully dissonant five-way conversation that dovetails seamlessly into the spiritual "Part 3." Trumpet and tenor saxophone sing a sacred chant together, a prelude to the extemporization that follows. An intriguing tension ensues, culminating in the same ethereal ambience with which it began.

Helias' solo sets the mood for the simmering, bluesy "Part 4," the most lyrical of the album. Perelman and Wooley take turns with their wistful monologues. The group creates a complex, vibrant backdrop for their musings. A poetic duet between Perelman and Helias gives way to the serene conclusion.

A somberness permeates the final piece, with an undercurrent of expectant beats and meditative saxophone and trumpet lines. Moran's contemplative solo is simultaneously fluid and angular. Helias and Rainey frame it with their rhythmic exchanges, which transform into a three-way repartee and then into a thrilling, collective improvisation with the entry of the horns.

Thanks to the creative rigor and seamless camaraderie among these five musicians, A Modicum of the Blues is a mesmerizing and provocative recording that makes for a satisfying listening experience. It is a high point in Perelman's uniformly superlative discography.