Bram Weijters & Chad McCullough: Feather

Three terrific studio CDs—quartet outings, all—have come from the teaming of trumpeter Chad McCullough and keyboardist Bram Weijters: Imaginary Sketches (2011); Urban Nightingale, (2012); and Abstract Quantities (2015), all on Origin Records. Theirs is an always engaging, melodic modern jazz. On Feathers the musicians reduce their artistry down to the duo mode.

From the disc's opening notes, on "Fluid," the pair employ modernistic resonance, a sustained mood of solemnity. Weijter uses, throughout, electric keyboards—Fender rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Moog synthesizers—that combine with McCullough's measured, ringing tone to create glowing washes that give the sound a gently orchestral feel. The array of brief pieces—two to six minutes in length—have the feel of soundtrack music, accompaniment for a noir-ish European-produced film. There is much beauty, from both musicians, wrapped in a two way symmetry, conceived and executed adeptly. Most appealing are Weijter's futuristic, dream-scape contributions on the Moog, and McCullough's sharp open horn sound as it dances in fluid motion with the Fender Rhodes.

Most duo outings are conversational. On Feather, Weijters and McCullough create what sounds more like a melding of minds, combining to create a unique tranquility, hymns of futuristic religion.

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