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Human Spirit: Dialogue
ByDialogue finds the groupwith special guests sitting in on piano and bassin a live setting at the Earshot Jazz Festival, and sounding very spirited indeed. Jorgensen, Marriott and Taylor have a special genius for for taking the standard jazz quintetsax, trumpet and rhythm sectionand breathing new life into the format. The distinct ensemble sound comes, in part, from the melding of Taylor's tart tone, with its "lemonade a couple of teaspoons short on the sugar" tang blending with Marriott's clean, pure timbre. A vibrant simpatico rises up, whether the horn men are playing unison lines or interweaving long notes, leading to always-inspired soloing. Jorgensen, in the drum chair, channels tumultuous grooves andas the best of the best drummers seem to do (like the late Paul Motian, and Al Foster)makes everyone sound better, as he subtly boosts the music and catches the ear with the unexpected.
Dialogue's tunes are all originals: two by Jorgensen; two from Taylor; and four from perhaps nominal leader Marriott. It's a live show, and the energy level is high, with mostly up-tempo workouts and lots of fire. And the special guests are inspired choices, as they've always been with Human Spiritwhether, as on previous recordings, it was guitarist Corey Christiansen and keyboardist Ryan Burns, or bassists Geoff Harper, Dave Captein or Jeff Johnson. The guest slots on Dialogue go to pianist Orrin Evans, who plays with percussive gusto, and bassist Essiet Essiet, who supplies a solid foundation for the horns' soaring free flights.
Human Spirit offers up high wire jazz quintet sound with Dialogue, an outing that takes a standard lineup and shifts it into a different dimension.
Track Listing
In Unity; Stepford and Son; Reversal of Fortune; Song for Samuel; After Hours; 148 Lexington; Pelham Gardens.
Personnel
Thomas Marriott: trumpet; Mark Taylor: alto saxophone; Matt Jorgensen: drums; Orrin Evans: piano; Essiet Essiet: bass.
Album information
Title: Dialogue | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Origin Records
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Human Spirit
CD/LP/Track Review
Dan McClenaghan
Origin Records
United States
Matt Jorgensen
Thomas Marriott
Mark Taylor
Gary Versace
Paul Motian
Al Foster
Corey Christiansen
Ryan Burns
Geoff Harper
Dave Captein
Jeff Johnson
Orrin Evans
Essiet Essiet
Dialogue