Albare: Eclecticity

On Eclecticity, his 17th recording as leader of his own groups, Moroccan-born Australia-based guitarist Albare (given name: Albert Dadon) uses, for the most part, members of his working groups, the Alchemists and Harmonix Experiment, to help him plumb jazz tradition and breathe life into 10 of his distinctive yet custom-tailored compositions and arrangements.

As a rule, Albare favors strong mid-tempo rhythms that meld emphatically behind sporadic solo commentary by trumpeter Mat Jodrell, saxophonist Phil Noy, pianist Phil Turcio, organist Jake Mason and the leader himself. Melodically, Albare's themes are serviceable but no more than that; in other words, rather easily set aside and forgotten. It is group interplay, not harmonic flair, that makes this engine hum.

And hum it does, thanks largely to Albare's able companions who include Turcio, bassist Phil Rex, drummer Felix Bloxom and percussionist Salvador Persico, with accordionist Joe Chindamo added on "New Dawn." It purrs, for the most part, in low gear, however, thanks to Albare's fondness for low-pressure cadences. An exception is the fast-paced "Simplicity," wherein everyone flexes their metric muscles while Noy (on tenor) and Albare deliver peppery solos. Elsewhere, everyone goes with the flow, which is, more often than not, temperate and mellow.

Eclecticity portrays a pleasant journey, and is certainly well-performed by Albare and co. Aside from the musicianship, however, there is little here that denotes a more than moderate enterprise.

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