Andrew Rathbun is a Canadian saxophonist who has made a major musical statement here with this collection of suites, two of which are based on the poetry of author Margaret Atwood. Rathbun's writing shows the influence of another Canadian,
Kenny Wheeler, in its lush sonority, the frequent gorgeous flugelhorn solos by
Tim Hagans and the role of
Luciana Souza, who both sings Atwood's poetry with gentle forcefulness and moans wordlessly within the orchestral ensembles, the same way Wheeler often utilized
Norma Winstone.
"Two Islands" begins with Souza singing simply over
Jeremy Siskind's piano. Then the entire ensemble comes in with a controlled turbulence propelled by
Bill Stewart's drumming and a beautiful, warm solo by Hagans whose flugelhorn is really featured within the darker, more somber sound of Part II. In Part III Stewart breaks down his drum beats like
Joe Morello leading into soaring ensemble music with the rich fullness of
Gil Evans. Souza sings brightly, Hagans does his thing again and saxophonist
Quinsin Nachoff takes a hard swinging tenor solo.
"Power Politics" begins with Souza and Siskind again starkly declaiming Atwood's words before the horns weave in. Hagans makes another strong, flowing statement and Souza's voice becomes a wordless instrument melting into the massed surge of the ensemble. Siskind's piano starts Part II with a dark, agitated bounce that leads into a tempestuous tug of war between the reeds and brass before Souza's voice spreads over everything like a cooling balm. There are also strong solo statements by Hagans, trombonist
Mike Fahie and tenor player
Dan Pratt here. Part III is an extended slow-rolling climax underpinned by funky vamping from Stewart with massive group harmonies and a brawny, rippling alto solo from
John O'Gallagher.
That is the meat of the set but there is a second CD with additional music. "Fractured" is a commentary on our current political situation with staccato horns and a stomping jazz-rock beat.
Aubrey Johnson handles the wordless vocalizing this time and Siskind's electric piano and
Nate Radley's burrowing guitar do an extended bit of jamming. There are also three movements from yet another, untitled suite full of wide, ambient harmonies, wary guitar and careful Bach-like progressions that bounce between piano, voice and the entire ensemble.
Andrew Rathbun is another contributor to that lineage of rich, impressionistic orchestral jazz that includes figures like Gil Evans,
Bob Brookmeyer,
Maria Schneider and
Jim McNeely. He writes warm, intriguing melodies and can create powerful backgrounds for soloists. The ones he has here, especially Souza, Hagans and Stewart, are all excellent. This has been an exceptional year for large ensemble jazz recordings and this is one of the best.
Track Listing: Two Islands I; Two Islands II; Two Islands III; Power Politics I; Power Politics II; Power Politics III; Fractured; V; I; II.
Personnel: John O'Gallagher: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone; Ben Kono: alto saxophone, flute, clarinet; Quinsin Nachoff: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Dan Pratt: tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet; Carl Maraghi: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Seneca Black: trumpet; Matt Holman: trumpet, flugelhorn; Dave Smith: trumpet, flugelhorn; Russ Johnson: trumpet, flugelhorn; Alan Ferber: trombone; Mike Fahie: trombone; JC Sanford: trombone; Chris Olness: bass trombone; Luciana Souza: vocals (disc one); Aubrey Johnson: vocals (disc 2); Nate Radley: guitar; Jeremy Siskind: piano, rhodes; Dave Ambrosio: bass; Bill Stewart: drums; Owen Howard: drums (1, 2 on disc 2); Tim Hagans: flugelhorn; Andrew Rathbun: composer, arranger.
Title: Atwood Suites
| Year Released: 2018
| Record Label: Origin Records