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Michael Bisio: Accortet
ByThe remainder of the date follows suit, presenting Bisio's multifaceted artistry in a variety of settings. Most astonishing is the amusingly titled "I Want To Do To You What Spring Does To Cherry Trees," a sophisticated ballad that is anything but blue. Like a long forgotten standard, the tune follows oddly familiar chord changes; the reedy bellows of Bailey's accordion conjure a nostalgic air for Knuffke's wistful variations, their romantic Old World invocations ably supported by Bisio and Wimberly's responsive accompaniment. Further nods to the tradition can be heard in the impressionistic "Times That Bond," which borrows the iconic bass line from John Coltrane's "Acknowledgment" section of A Love Supreme.
The majority of the session explores more vanguard territory, although even such outré fare as "Sun Mystery Ra History," finds the group grounded. Knuffke's lyrical half-valve smears and Bailey's oscillating tones find harmonious concordance with Bisio's droning ostinatos and Wimberly's dramatic mallet work, integrating extended techniques with exotic modalities that expertly balance freedom and form. Whether navigating the glacially-paced contours of "Henry's Theme" or blazing through the quicksilver tempo changes of "Giant Chase," Bisio and company invest the proceedings with keen invention, using a bracing combination of adventurous textural gambits, dynamic group interplay and old-fashioned swing. A most unanticipated release, Accortet truly embodies what venerated jazz critic Whitney Balliett called "the sound of surprise."
Track Listing
AM; Henry's Theme; Giant Chase; Times That Bond; I Want To Do To You What Spring Does To Cherry Trees; Livin' Large; (A&D); Charles Too!; Sun Mystery Ra History; Livin' Large (C&B).
Personnel
Michael Bisio
bass, acousticKirk Knuffke: cornet; Art Bailey: accordion; Michael Bisio: bass; Michael Wimberly: drums.
Album information
Title: Accortet | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Relative Pitch Records
Comments
About Michael Bisio
Instrument: Bass, acoustic
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