Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Eric Goletz: A New Light

2

Eric Goletz: A New Light

By

Sign in to view read count
Eric Goletz: A New Light
Eric Goletz is a virtuoso trombonist who also writes and arranges. On first hearing, his core band may put some in mind of Chase, Bill Chase's high-flying group that featured both vocals and technically demanding trumpet. Goletz has something similar going on. The music opens with "Prelude: Before the Light" and "A New Light," with a stinging solo by guitarist Henry Heinitsch.

Goletz, it may be observed, is the logical outcome of jazz-rock and funk meets brass instrumental science. "Edge of Night" locks in and does not let up. You could be forgiven hearing it as the theme to a QM television production from the 1970s, but suitably updated. Some guy comes on screen in a Lambo, maybe a slim suit version of Tom Selleck. There is something going down, and fast, with the broad vistas of a swaggering, remembered America in the background. Message: Goletz is not your father's bone player. "Dig," which Miles Davis wrote, not only does not back off, but adds Randy Brecker and Jim Ridl: not exactly afterglow music, clocking in at around 350 bpm, before segueing into a relaxed interlude with Brecker. Everyone takes a breath with "Enchanted," featuring the formidable Marco Panascia on bass, with strings blended in as well.

It is back to business with "Greene Street Groove," horns shouting again. "Sunrise, Sunset" strikes a compromise, for a bit at least, before locking into a heavier funk-rock feel with guitarist Heinitsch's solo. "Song for Elizabeth" is much closer to a genuine ballad: Goletz can play pretty if he wants to. On "Don't Gimme That," Goletz and Brecker trade choruses head-to-head, which serves to remind you what gifted jazz players both are. The festivities close out with: "The Mirror" and "Postlude: After the Light."

All-in-all, a remarkable recording, up and edgy and at the highest level of musicianship. Some may prefer music a little more reflective or driven by melody, but no one will call this big band sterile or devoid of excitement. Bracing, to say the least.

Track Listing

Prelude, Before the Light; A New Light; Edge of Night; Dig; Enchanted; Greene Street Groove; Sunrise, Sunset; Song for Elizabeth; Don’t Gimme That!; The Mirror; Postlude: After the Light.

Personnel

Eric Goletz
trombone
Jim Ridl
piano
Marco Panascia
bass, acoustic
Joe Mowatt
percussion
Tony Gorruso
trumpet
Kent Smith
trumpet
Will DeVos
french horn
Bob Magnuson
saxophone, alto
Matt Ingman
trombone, bass
Robin Zeh
violin
Additional Instrumentation

David Gold: viola; Sarah Hewitt-Roth: cello.

Album information

Title: A New Light | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Consolidated Artists Productions

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.