Rob Brown / Juan Pablo Carletti: Fertile Garden

Alto saxophonist Rob Brown has always been accompanied by adroit and masterful drummers. Throughout his career he can be heard with the likes of Denis Charles, Jackson Krall, Lou Grassi, Warren Smith, Marc Edwards, Satoshi Takeishi, Whit Dickey, Luther Gray, Andrew Barker, Gerald Cleaver, and Hamid Drake. With the release Fertile Garden, add to that list the Argentine-born, New York resident Juan Pablo Carletti.

Carletti can be heard in Rob Brown's quartet, also in duo with cellist Daniel Levin or Christopher Hoffman which expands to a trio with Tony Malaby. That latter trio released the most excellent Niño/Brujo (NoBusiness Records, 2015). Possibly that cellist connection informs this studio date from August 2020. Like Brown's duos with Levin, the most recent being Watching And Listening (Mahakala Music, 2021), there is a modesty and tenderness to this music. The pair deliver two lengthy duos, eschewing competitiveness for a most accommodating sound.

"6BC" and "Children's Magical Garden" maintain an equanimity throughout, Brown's alto often blowing dry unbuttered notes that might at first appear nonchalant, but on closer inspection reveal an imperturbable musician at work. Credit Carletti with supporting Brown's sound with his constant motion. Max Roach's melodic approach comes to mind here. Carletti's vibrant drum and cymbal work are ever swarming with a rhythmic pulse. Perfect for Brown's explorations.

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