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Leon Foster Thomas: Metamorphosis
ByThe Trinidadian percussionist and composer Leon Foster Thomas is the latest player on the scene to promote the steel pans as a plausible lead voice in a "serious" jazz environment. His third album as a leader, Metamorphosis makes a very convincing case. Armed with a Bachelor of Music from Florida Memorial University and a Masters in Music from Florida International University, Foster Thomas certainly has what it takes, compositionally, to frame his instrument in the most favorable light possible. He's also an enthralling improviser, and Metamorphosis provides him with a diversity of musical environments in which to display his abilities.
The most rewarding tracks on Metamorphosis are those that stray the farthest from the polite Caribbean-themed pop-jazz one normally expects from a steel pan album. Thomas, saxophonist David Palma, trumpeters John Daversa and Jean Caze, and the excellent backing band (special props to drummer Mike Piolet and pianist Martin Bejerano) crank up the intensity to the max on "Cry of Hope," a dynamic, post-Coltrane romp that edges into free-bop territory. Stuff like this wouldwithout questionclear the patio at any seaside resort. No less artful is "Gulf of Paria," a delicate jazz waltz. Thomas' extraordinarily lyrical pan solo here is perhaps the finest on this album. Thomas is also quite adept at the sort of creative jazz-funk that's currently in resurgence thanks to players such as Kamasi Washington. The album's first two tracks, "Kai Fusion" and "Midnight Refrain," are excellent examples of nu-jazz fusion: plugged-in jazz that's brainy and danceable. Again, Thomas' rhythm section, and particularly Bejerano, Piolet, and bassist Kurt Hengstebeck provide buoyant, colorful and stylistically flexible backing.
The rest of the album, while equally well-played, is a bit less interesting. "Dubplate Special," with its second- line inspired rhythm, is a party-oriented groove that benefits from Thomas' excellent extended improvisation. "Delusion of a Dream" and "Unknown Memory" are rather predictable jazz-funk; the latter an appealing feature for Daversa's unhinged EVI soloing. The saccharine "Take a Bow" suffers slightly by its resemblance to the The Doobie Brothers' hit "Takin' It to The Streets." Yet it is almost completely redeemed by Caze's excellent, Miles Davis-inspired trumpet solo. Thomas' slowed-down version of "Whiter Shade of Pale" actually works quite well as a jazz ballad, and as an opportunity for Thomas to show what heand his instrumentare capable of.
Track Listing
Kai-Fusion; Midnight Refrain; Gulf Of Paria; In The Corner; Delusion Of A Dream; Unknown Memory; Dubplate Swing; Take A Bow; A Whiter Shade Of Pale; Cry Of Hope.
Personnel
Leon Foster Thomas
drums, steelLeon Foster Thomas; steel pan, percussion; Martin bejerano: piano; Kurt Hengstebeck: upright bass, electric bass; Michael Piolet: drums; Jean Caze: trumpet; David Palma: tenor sax, flute; Fernando Ulibarri: guitar; John Daversa: trumpet, EVI; Sammy Figueroa: percussion.
Album information
Title: Metamorphosis | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Ropeadope
Comments
About Leon Foster Thomas
Instrument: Drums, steel
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