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Florian Ross Quintet: Lines & Crosscurrents
ByThe album is comprised entirely of original compositions and arrangements by Ross who last recorded with a quintet a decade ago. His charts make good use of the format, giving everyone ample work to do to ensure its success. That includes bassist David Helm and drummer Fabian Arends whose rhythmic skills neatly underpin the enterprise. If there are times when Arends seems a trifle heavy-handed, those moments aren't persistent; for the most part, he and Helm keep the rhythm flowing with a minimum of intrusion. Klein, meanwhile, adds flavor throughout, opening on clarinet ("Arp 1," "Exhibit A") and shining on tenor sax ("Etch-a-Sketch," "Driftwood") or bass clarinet ("Rough Patch"). Segschneider, charged for the most part with enhancing the rhythm, comes to the fore on "Etch-a-Sketch" and "Manifold," delivering crisp and engaging solos.
Speaking of solos, Ross fashions several splendid ones, even though his purpose clearly seems to be to give prominence to the quintet and underscore the group activity. That he does, and does quite nicely, enabling his prismatic compositions to speak for themselves. While you are unlikely to go away humming any of them, that's not to say they are any less persuasive because of it. Ross has put his best foot forward and given the listener more than an hour of earnest and perceptive small-group jazz.
Track Listing
Arp I; Exhibit A; Augmented Reality; Etch-a-Sketch; Moxel; Manifold; Greenland; Novachord; Venture Cabinet; Driftwood; Rough Patch; Arp II.
Personnel
Florian Ross
composer / conductorFlorian Ross: piano, synthesizer; Niels Klein: clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone; Markus Segschneider: pedal steel guitar; David Helm: bass; Fabian Arends: drums.
Album information
Title: Lines & Crosscurrents | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Toy Piano Records
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February 2015
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About Florian Ross
Instrument: Composer / conductor
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