Atlantis Quartet: Live at Berlin

Naming a debut live album after the venue itself is a bold move, proclaiming the music and space as one. With Live at Berlin, recorded during the opening week of Minneapolis' newest jazz haunt in February 2024, Atlantis Quartet—saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, guitarist Zacc Harris, bassist Chris Bates, and drummer Pete Hennig—does not merely make the case; they etch it in neon. This album captures a band and a room in perfect, combustible alignment.

For nearly two decades, this quartet has refined a sound once labeled "punk-jazz," a term too narrow for their restless invention. On this album, they explore open-ended terrain with the confidence of musicians who have shared countless stages. The result is a set crackling with raw energy and sly sophistication, like a late-night debate blending grit and wisdom.

"Evasive Maneuvers" sets the tone, its title a blueprint for the quartet's approach. Over a funky, rock-edged pulse, Wozniak's tenor saxophone dances through Harris's angular guitar lines like a seasoned sparring partner, their interplay dodging expectations. Fiery solos and Harris' brooding chords create a thrilling tension, never resolving predictably.

The quartet's near-telepathic connection shines on tracks like "You Are Here" and "Bucket List." Bates and Hennig craft a rhythm section that is less a foundation and more a living current—elastic, intuitive, alive. Wozniak and Harris chase ideas with fearless creativity, born of deep trust. Unison choruses spark, then dissolve into suspenseful detours, with solos that soar and grooves that shift from knotty to untamed. Hennig's drumming stands out, precise yet wild, keeping listeners on edge.

The production preserves the intimacy of a small club, capturing the air between instruments and the hesitations before moments of brilliance. This is jazz with unpolished edges, not smoothed for mainstream appeal. On "Bucket List," Bates and Hennig ignite a groove like a launchpad, Harris' ascending phrases blazing as the band surges into the cosmos with fast, furious voicings.

In sum, Live at Berlin highlights Atlantis Quartet at their peak—a modern jazz outfit that honors its roots while shattering boundaries. Urgent and immediate, it is built to resonate long after the final note. This is not just an album; it is a dispatch from a band and venue burning brightly.

Comments