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Rich Brown: Abeng
ByUnlike a lot of other young virtuosos, Brown is broad-minded enough to include a pair of ballads on Abeng. "This Lotus Ascension" recalls John Coltrane's "Naima" as much as it does Wayne Shorter's "A Remark You Made." Luis Deniz' impassioned alto and Robi Botos' rhapsodic piano are particularly effective here. "Parity of Esteem" is really only half a ballad, since it starts as one but slowly transforms into a sinister groover featuring an appealingly turbulent solo by Myriad3 pianist Chris Donnelly underpinned by Lewis' impossibly busy, yet pitch-perfect, drumming. Percussionist Rosendo Chendy Leon's congas and bata drums figure prominently on "Chant of the Exiled," a piece that recalls Steve Coleman's work with Afro-Cuban percussionists. "Promessa" takes some of these rhythmic archetypes and recasts them in an R&B-flavored fusion style, with the leader's lush electric bass way out front.
With Abeng Rich Brown has crafted a definitive musical statement that ties together a lot of seemingly disparate strands of the Black cultural experience in a creative and personal way. Highly recommended.
Track Listing
Mahishmatish; Window Seat; Chant of the Exiled (Abeng); Promessa; This Lotus Ascension; The Etymology of Ouch; Parity of Esteem (An Illustration of Imbalance); Achilles & the Tortoise.
Personnel
Rich Brown
bass, electricRich Brown: electric bass, clavé (4); Luis Deniz: alto saxophone; Kevin Turcotte: trumpet (3, 6); Kelly Jefferson: tenor saxophone (1); Chris Donnelly: piano (1, 6- 8); Robi Botos: piano (2-5), Fender Rhodes (2); Larnell Lewis: drums; Rosendo Chendy Leon: percussion (3).
Album information
Title: Abeng | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Rich Brown
Instrument: Bass, electric
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